: an assembly in ancient Ireland for the promulgation of laws and for competition in artistic, intellectual, and physical prowess compare aenach
2
: an Irish folk festival or convention patterned on the ancient feis and featuring games and competitions and usually traditional Irish music and dancing compare eisteddfod
: a wild banana (Musa fehi) widely cultivated in Polynesia and distinguished by an upright fruiting stalk bearing large thick fruits that have reddish orange or yellow skin and are edible only when cooked
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Irish Gaelic, from Middle Irish, feast; akin to Old English wist food, feast, existence, Old High German wist food, Old Norse vist food, dwelling, Gothic wists nature, essence, Old English wesan to be
The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits
Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.
Expanded definitions
Detailed etymologies
Advanced search tools
All ad-free
Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice
for true word lovers.
Share