hallowmas

/ˈhæloʊməs/

Etymology

Short for All-hallows' mass (“All-saints' mass”), ultimately continuing Old English ealra hālgena mæsse (literally “All Saints' mass”), equivalent to hallow (“saint”) + -mas.

hallowmas means All Saints Day, November 1 Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 84 out of 100.

Why this word is great

HALLOWMAS — [Noun] An older name for All Saints' Day, the Christian feast observed on November 1 to honor all the saints, known and unknown. Its etymology is clipped from the Middle English phrase 'Alholowmesse', itself from Old English 'ealra hālgena mæsse', literally meaning "all saints' mass," equivalent to 'hallow' (saint, holy person) + '-mas' (mass, feast day). Unlike "Halloween" (which conjures a secular, folkloric vigil of jack-o'-lanterns and mischief) or "All Souls’ Day" (which dwells in pious remembrance of the ordinary departed), Hallowmas is a solemn celebration of celestial triumph, a bright muster of the blessed. It is the clear, cold light of a November morning falling on a stone cathedral, the austere scent of chrysanthemums upon a bare altar, and the sound of a plainchant rising for a multitude whose names are solemnly kept in heaven—a testament to the human hope that virtue might, against all mortal odds, achieve a lasting radiance.

noun

All Saints Day, November 1“Pompey: And, I beseech you look into Master Froth here, / sir; a man of fourscore pound a year, whose father died / at Hallowmas. Was't not at Hallowmas, Master Froth?”