n. & int.
--n. (pl. Christmases)
1. (also Christmas Day) the annual festival of Christ's birth, celebrated on 25 Dec.
2 the season in which this occurs; the time immediately before and after 25 Dec.
--int. sl. expressing surprise, dismay, etc.
Phrases and idioms:
Christmas-box a present or gratuity given at Christmas esp. to tradesmen and employees. Christmas cake Brit. a rich fruit cake usu. covered with marzipan and icing and eaten at Christmas. Christmas card a card sent with greetings at Christmas. Christmas Eve the day or the evening before Christmas Day. Christmas pudding Brit. a rich boiled pudding eaten at Christmas, made with flour, suet, dried fruit, etc. Christmas rose a white-flowered winter-blooming evergreen, Helleborus niger. Christmas tree an evergreen (usu. spruce) or artificial tree set up with decorations at Christmas.
Derivatives:
Christmassy adj.
Etymology: OE Cristes m{aelig}sse (MASS(2))