Wassail /(?)/

Was·sail

Wassail

n.
  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.
    The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail.
    The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail.
  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.

Wassail

a.
  1. Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as, a wassail bowl.

Phrases & Compounds
Wassail bowl
a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the table.
Wassail cup
a cup from which wassail was drunk.

Wassail

v. i.
  1. To hold a wassail; to carouse.
    Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in dancing, caroling, and wassailing.