n.
Pronunciation: ' kris-m ə s
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English Christemasse, from Old English Cristes mæsse, literally, Christ's mass
Date: before 12th century
1 : a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usually observed as a legal holiday
2 : CHRISTMASTIDE
– Christ · mas · sy or Christ · masy \ -m ə -s ē \ adjective