movable feast



movable feast

An event or occurrence that does not happen on a predictable schedule. Since Easter does not fall on the same calendar date each year, it's often called a movable feast.
See also: feast, movable

movable feast

 
1. Lit. a religious holiday that is on a different date from year to year. Easter is the best known movable feast.
2. Fig. a meal that is served in motion or with different portions of the meal served at different locations. (Jocular or a complete misunderstanding of {1} but in wide use.) We enjoyed a real movable feast on the train from Washington to Maimi.
See also: feast, movable

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Ararat-Armenian
MalteMAHL-tə (German)Danish, Swedish, German
NereusNEER-oos (English), NEER-ee-əs (English)Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Fidelis-Late Roman
Vartan-Armenian
Shaina-Yiddish