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saturnalia

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
sat·​ur·​na·​lia | \ ˌsa-tər-ˈnāl-yə How to pronounce saturnalia (audio) , -ˈnā-lē-ə\

Definition of saturnalia

1 capitalized : the festival of Saturn in ancient Rome beginning on December 17

2 singular, plural saturnalias also saturnalia

a : an unrestrained often licentious celebration : orgy
b : excess, extravagance
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Other Words from saturnalia

saturnalian \ ˌsa-​tər-​ˈnāl-​yən How to pronounce saturnalian (audio) , -​ˈnā-​lē-​ən \ adjective
saturnalianly adverb

Examples of saturnalia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Palm Springs is a playground of shape and color, a mid-century marvel of manicured lawns, modernist homes (glass, stone, terrazzo, and Formica), and poolside saturnalia set within an arid ecosystem that can seem like the surface of Mars. — Jennifer Emerling, National Geographic, "Seeking silence on a California road trip," 6 Aug. 2019 This special-interest saturnalia is exactly what Trump promised to eliminate. — Matthew Cooper, Newsweek, "What is Trump’s Tax Reform? Everything To Know About The Plan For America’s Rich," 14 Nov. 2017

First Known Use of saturnalia

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for saturnalia

Latin, from neuter plural of saturnalis of Saturn, from Saturnus

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tantalize

play

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