■ noun
1》 a large meal, especially a celebratory one.
↘a plentiful supply of something enjoyable.
2》 an annual religious celebration.
↘a day dedicated to a particular saint.
↘ Brit. an annual village festival.
■ verb eat and drink lavishly.
↘give a lavish meal to.
Phrases
ghost (or skeleton ) at the ~ a person or thing that brings gloom to an otherwise pleasant occasion.
~ one's eyes on gaze at with pleasure.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. feste (n.), fester (v.), from L. festa , neut. plural of festus 'joyous'; cf. fete and fiesta .