revel

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See also: Revel

English

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Etymology 1

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From Middle English revelen, from Old French revel, from reveler (to be disorderly, to make merry), from Latin rebello (to rebel). Doublet of rebel.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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revel (plural revels)

  1. An instance of merrymaking; a celebration.
    • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
      Our revels now are ended.
    • 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter II, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
      "I ought to arise and go forth with timbrels and with dances; but, do you know, I am not inclined to revels? There has been a little—just a very little bit too much festivity so far …. Not that I don't adore dinners and gossip and dances; not that I do not love to pervade bright and glittering places. []"
  2. A kind of dance.
  3. A wake for the dead.
Derived terms
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Translations
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Verb

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revel (third-person singular simple present revels, present participle revelling or reveling, simple past and past participle revelled or reveled)

  1. To make merry; to have a happy, lively time.
  2. To take delight (in something).
    • 1997, The Art of Practicing, a Guide to Making Music from the Heart:
      Slowing down doesn't have to feel like holding back. It can be an opportunity to revel in sounds and sensations, to not be so concerned about where we are going but to enjoy the moment and become comfortable where we are.
Synonyms
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Derived terms
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Translations
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Etymology 2

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From Latin revellere; re- + vellere (to pluck, pull).

Verb

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revel (third-person singular simple present revels, present participle revelling, simple past and past participle revelled)

  1. (obsolete) To draw back; to retract.
    • 1597, A. M., The Frenche chirurgerye, translation of original by Jacques Guilleameau:
      It then revelleth and drawethe backe agayne those humors which concurre towardes the Eyes.

Noun

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revel (plural revels)

  1. (architecture) Alternative form of reveal

Anagrams

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Breton

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Adjective

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revel

  1. sexual

References

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  • "revel" in TermOfis, Office Public de la Langue Bretonne

Middle English

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Etymology 1

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Borrowed from Old French revel, from reveler.

Alternative forms

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Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /rɛˈvɛːl/, /ˈrɛvɛl/

Noun

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revel (plural reveles)

  1. Joyfulness, entertainment, celebration, revelling.
  2. A specific instance of revelling or joyfulness.
  3. (rare, Late Middle English) Chaos, disorder.
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Descendants
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  • English: revel
References
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Etymology 2

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Verb

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revel

  1. Alternative form of revelen (to revel)