n.
Pronunciation: ' jü-b ə -( ˌ )l ē , ˌ jü-b ə - ' l ē
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French jubilé, from Late Latin jubilaeus, modification of Late Greek i ō b ē laios, from Hebrew y ō bh ē l ram's horn, jubilee
Date: 14th century
1 often capitalized : a year of emancipation and restoration provided by ancient Hebrew law to be kept every 50 years by the emancipation of Hebrew slaves, restoration of alienated lands to their former owners, and omission of all cultivation of the land
2 a : a special anniversary especially : a 50th anniversary b : a celebration of such an anniversary
3 a : a period of time proclaimed by the Roman Catholic pope ordinarily every 25 years as a time of special solemnity b : a special plenary indulgence granted during a year of jubilee to Roman Catholics who perform certain specified works of repentance and piety
4 a : JUBILATION b : a season of celebration
5 : a religious song of black Americans usually referring to a time of future happiness