kermis

noun

ker·​mis ˈkər-məs How to pronounce kermis (audio)
variants or kermess
ˈkər-məs How to pronounce kermis (audio)
-ˌmes
 or kermesse
ˈkər-məs How to pronounce kermis (audio)
-ˌmes
1
: an outdoor festival of the Low Countries
2
: a fair held usually for charitable purposes

Word History

Etymology

Dutch kermis, from Middle Dutch kercmisse, from kerc, kerke church + misse mass, church festival

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kermis was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near kermis

kermes oak

kermis

kern

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Kermis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kermis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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