| 释义 |
wal·pur·gis night
\välˈpu̇rgə̇s-, -u̇(ə)gə̇s-; valˈpər]jə̇s-, wäl-, wȯl-, -pə̄], -pəi], ]gə̇s-\ noun
or wal·pur·gis·nacht \välˈpu̇rgə̇ˌsnäḵt, -u̇(ə)g-\
(-s)
Usage: usually capitalized W&N
Etymology: walpurgis night part translation of German walpurgisnacht, from Walpurgis St. Walburga died A.D. 777 English saint whose feast day falls on May Day + German nacht night, from Old High German naht — more at night
1. : the evening preceding May Day : the evening of April 30 believed especially during medieval and Renaissance times to be an occasion when witches celebrate a sabbat
2. : something (as an event or situation) having an orgiastic or nightmarish character
< the big, wicked party that should be the … Walpurgis Night of his book — New Republic >
< the relationship … became a protracted Walpurgisnacht — George Stevens > |