n. (pl. same or saturnalias)
1. (usu. Saturnalia) Rom.Hist. the festival of Saturn in December, characterized by unrestrained merrymaking for all, the predecessor of Christmas.
2 (as sing. or pl.) a scene of wild revelry or tumult; an orgy.
Derivatives:
saturnalian adj.
Etymology: L, neut. pl. of Saturnalis (as SATURN)