|märdē|grä, |mȧdē|grȧ, -di|- noun
Usage: usually capitalized M&G
Etymology: French, literally, fat Tuesday
1.
a. : the last day before Lent often marked by merrymaking and feasting and in some places (as New Orleans) by parades especially of grotesquely costumed individuals and by masquerade balls
b. : a carnival period (as in New Orleans) preceding Lent and often lasting for many days and climaxed on the final day before Lent
2. : a festive celebration held on or like that often held on the last day or days before Lent and marked by merrymaking and feasting