† ˈCrouchmas Obs.
Also 5 crowche-, 6 crowchmes(se, -mas.
[f. crouch n.1 cross + mass.]
The festival of the Invention of the Cross, observed on May 3.
| 1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 119 On y⊇ sunday after crouchemesse dai. 1463 Paston Lett. No. 472 II. 132 Ye Fryday nexst after Crowchemesse Day. 1530 Palsgr. 804/1 At Crowchmesse, a la saincte Croyx. Ibid. 811/2 On Crowchemesse daye, le jour du saynct Sacrement. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 110 From bull cow fast till Crowchmas be past. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Crouchmas or Crouchmas-day, a Festival kept by Roman-Catholicks in Honour of the Holy Cross. [Hence in Bailey.] [1891 Globe 28 Dec. 1/5 Martinmas is confined to Scotland; Crouchmas, the feast of the Invention of the Cross, on May 3, is quite obsolete.] |