Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Wassail
Was′sail
,Noun.
1.
An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine, exclaimed, Lord king
waes heil
, that is, literally, Health be to you. N. Drake.
2.
An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse.
“In merry wassail he . . . peals his loud song.” Sir W. Scott.
The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps
Keeps
wassail
. Shakespeare
The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and
wassail
. Prescott.
3.
The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly much used in England at Christmas and other festivals, made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast, roasted apples, etc.; – called also
lamb’s wool
. A jolly wassail bowl,
A
A
wassail
of good ale. Old Song.
4.
A festive or drinking song or glee.
[Obs.]
Have you done your
wassail
! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll assure you. Beau. & Fl.
Was′sail
,Adj.
Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial;
“Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow.” as, a
. wassail
bowlShak.
Wassail bowl
, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the table.
“Spiced wassail bowl.” J. Fletcher.
“When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel . . . Its appearance was hailed with acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in Christmas festivity.” W. Irving.
– Wassail cup
, a cup from which wassail was drunk.
Was′sail
,Verb.
I.
To hold a wassail; to carouse.
Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in dancing, caroling, and
wassailing
. Sir P. Sidney.
Webster 1828 Edition
Wassail
WASSAIL
,Noun.
1.
A liquor made of apples, sugar and ale, formerly much used by English good fellows.2.
A drunken bout.3.
A merry song. [This word in unknown in America.]WASSAIL
,Verb.
I.