arval

1 of 2

noun

ar·​val

variants or less commonly arvel

ˈärvəl

plural -s

dialectal, British

: a funeral feast

Arval

2 of 2

adjective

Ar·​val

"

: relating to a body of ancient Roman priests who presided over an annual fertility festival in May

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English arvell, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse erfiöl funeral feast, from erfi inheritance, funeral feast + öl ale, drinking bout, banquet; akin to Old Norse arfi inheritance

Adjective

Latin arvalis, literally, of a cultivated field, from arvum cultivated field + -alis -al

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