Brewer's: Noel

Christmas day, or a Christmas carol. A contraction of nouvelles (tidings), written in old English, nowells.

“A child this day is born, A child of high renown, Most worthy of a sceptre, A sceptre and a crown. Nowells, nowells, nowells! Sing all we may, Because that Christ, the King. Was born this blessed day.” Old Carol.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Related Content