Kirmes
German edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Middle High German kirmesse, contraction of kirche (“church”) + messe, misse, from Old High German kirihha + messe (“mass”), + Latin missa, referring to annual solemn masses on the anniversaries of the consecration of village churches (contemporary Kirchweihfest), which developed into major village festivals. Compare the same in Dutch kermis.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
Kirmes f (genitive Kirmes, plural Kirmessen)
Usage notes edit
- Common throughout western and central Germany. It is also used in some parts of northern and southern Germany, but may not be familiar to speakers from certain regions.
Declension edit
Declension of Kirmes [feminine]