Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HOL'Y-DAY, n. [See Holiday.]

1. A day set apart for commemorating some important event in history; a festival intended to celebrate some event deemed auspicious to the welfare of a nation; particularly an anniversary festival, devoted to religious solemnities; as, Christmas holydays.
2. A day of joy and gayety. Shak.
3. A day of exemption from labor; a day of amusement. Chesterfield.