‖ Hoolee, Holī E. Ind.
(ˈhuːliː, ˈhəʊliː)
Also 7 houly, 7–9 hooly, 8–9 huli, 9 hooley, hohlee.
[Hindi hōlī.]
The great festival or carnival of the Hindus, held at the approach of the vernal equinox, in honour of Krishna and the Gopīs or milkmaids.
| 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. iii. 67 That once in his life he might be present at the Feast of Houly. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 180 In their Hooly, which is at their other Seed-time. 1789 Pearce in Asiat. Res. II. 333 During the H{uacu}lì, when mirth and festivity reign among Hindus of every class. Ibid. 334 The late Shujául Daulah..was very fond of making H{uacu}lì-fools. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Misc. Tr. 280/1 The hooly, or saturnalia of India, when liberty of speech and action towards superiors are allowed to as great an extent as among the ancient Romans. 1809 T. D. Broughton Lett. (1813) 87 (Y.) We paid the Muha Raj the customary visit at the Hohlee. 1825 Heber Narr. Journ. (1828) II. 524 During all the time of Hoolee, drunkenness is common among the Hindoos. 1910 Encycl. Brit. XIII. 507/2 The Holi, the Indian Saturnalia in the month of Phālguna (February to March). 1921 E. M. Forster Let. 1 Apr. in Hill of Devi (1953) 58 My painted escort (they had been celebrating Holi) were all that is polite. 1958 Listener 13 Nov. 768/1 The great spring game of Holi that they play all over northern India. Ibid., Holi used to be the loveliest of festivals. 1969 Eve's Weekly (Bombay) 20 Dec. 67/3 When I was a young girl every year brought Holi with its gay colours. |