Walpurgis Night

noun

Wal·​pur·​gis Night väl-ˈpu̇r-gəs- 

1

: the eve of May Day on which witches are held to ride to an appointed rendezvous

2

: something (such as an event or situation) having a nightmarish quality

Examples of Walpurgis Night in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Visitors can watch craft demonstrations, visit the Nordic Zoo, attend folk dances throughout the year and experience traditional celebrations like Midsummer, Christmas and Walpurgis Night. —Breana Scheckwitz, Fox News, 6 June 2024

The witches’ dance has origins in Walpurgis Night, an April holiday that doubles as a second Halloween for many Germans. —Jen Murphy, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of German Walpurgisnacht, from Walpurgis St. Walburga †a.d. 779 English saint whose feast day falls on May Day + German Nacht night

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Walpurgis Night

noun

Wal·​pur·​gis Night väl-ˈpu̇r-gəs- 

: the evening before May 1 on which witches were believed to gather

Etymology

named for Saint Walburga (German Walpurgis) died 779 an English saint whose feast day falls on May Day