See also: Revel

English edit

Etymology 1 edit

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 edit

  • (UK, US) enPR: rĕvʹ-əl, IPA(key): /ˈɹɛv.əl/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛvəl

Noun edit

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 edit
Translations edit

Verb edit

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 edit
Derived terms edit
Translations edit

Etymology 2 edit

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

Verb edit

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 edit

revel (plural revels)

  1. (architecture) Alternative form of reveal

Anagrams edit

Breton edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

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

Adjective edit

revel

  1. sexual

References edit

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

Middle English edit

Etymology 1 edit

Borrowed from Old French revel, from reveler.

Alternative forms edit

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /rɛˈvɛːl/, /ˈrɛvɛl/

Noun edit

revel (plural reveles)

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

Etymology 2 edit

Verb edit

revel

  1. Alternative form of revelen (to revel)