bride-ale, bridale
(ˈbraɪdˌeɪl)
[A conscious retention or restoration of the earlier analytical form of bridal n. [q.v.] in its early sense.]
1. A wedding-feast of the Old English type, an ale-drinking at a wedding.
| 1000–1500 [see bridal 1]. 1540 Cranmer Bible Pref., Neither [is] weepinge convenient at a brideale. 1577 Harrison England ii. vi. (1877) 150 In feasting [the husbandmen] doo exceed after their maner: especiallie at bridales. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie (Arb.) 97 For recreation of the common people at Christmasse diners and brideales. 1621 Ainsworth Annot. Gen. xxix. 22 A banquet named in Hebr. of drinking..Such we call a Bride-ale. 1762 Hume Hist. Eng. lii. (1806) IV. 97 Wakes, church-ales, bride-ales, and other cheerful festivals of the common people. 1857 Toulm. Smith Parish 503. 1864 Palgrave Norm. & Eng. III. 126 The doleful bridale of Dôle. 1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) II. vii. 151 Tostig's bride, whose bride-ale had been so cruelly interrupted. |
2. ‘The warmed, sweetened, and spiced ale, presented to a wedding party on its return from Church’ (Atkinson Provinc. Danby, Yorkshire, 1863).