saturnalia
noun
sat·ur·na·lia
ˌsa-tər-ˈnāl-yə 
-ˈnā-lē-ə
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
capitalized
: the festival of Saturn in ancient Rome beginning on December 17
2
singular, plural saturnalias also saturnalia
a
: an unrestrained often licentious celebration : orgy
b
saturnalianly
adverb
Examples of saturnalia in a Sentence
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This summer’s Matterhorn spike is enhanced by COVID cabin fever and protest saturnalia.
—
Nr Editors, National Review, 20 Aug. 2020
Palm Springs is a playground of shape and color, a mid-century marvel of manicured lawns, modernist homes (glass, stone, terrazzo, and Formica), and poolside saturnalia set within an arid ecosystem that can seem like the surface of Mars.
—Jennifer Emerling, National Geographic, 6 Aug. 2019
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Nr Editors, National Review, 20 Aug. 2020
Palm Springs is a playground of shape and color, a mid-century marvel of manicured lawns, modernist homes (glass, stone, terrazzo, and Formica), and poolside saturnalia set within an arid ecosystem that can seem like the surface of Mars.
—Jennifer Emerling, National Geographic, 6 Aug. 2019
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Cite this Entry
“Saturnalia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saturnalia. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
saturnalia
singular or plural noun
sat·ur·na·lia
ˌsat-ər-ˈnāl-yə
1
capitalized
: the festival of the god Saturn celebrated in ancient Rome with feasting and wild revelry
2
: a celebration involving wild behavior : orgy
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