Saturnalia \Sat`ur*na"li*a\, n. pl. [L. See Saturn.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) The festival of Saturn, celebrated in
December, originally during one day, but afterward during
seven days, as a period of unrestrained license and
merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence: A period or occasion of general license, in which
the passions or vices have riotous indulgence.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Saturnalia
n 1: an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn
2: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and
promiscuity [syn: orgy, debauch, debauchery, riot,
bacchanal, bacchanalia, drunken revelry]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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