Wassail word meaning and definition

[noun] a punch made of sweetened ale or wine heated with spices and roasted apples; especially at Christmas
[verb] propose a toast to; "Let us toast the birthday girl!"; "Let's drink to the New Year"
[verb] celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities; "The members of the wedding party made merry all night"; "Let's whoop it up--the boss is gone!"

\Was"sail\, n. [AS. wes h[=a]l (or an equivalent form in another dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking a health. The form wes is imperative. See {Was}, and {Whole}.] 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 w[ae]s 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 wassail. --Shak. 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 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\, a. Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as, a wassail bowl. ``Awassail candle, my lord, all tallow.'' --Shak. {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\, v. 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.

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