church-ale

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English cherche ale.

Noun

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church-ale (countable and uncountable, plural church-ales)

  1. (historical) A church or parish festival (as in commemoration of the dedication of a church), at which much ale was drunk.
    • 1683, John Keble, An Assistance to Justices of the Peace [] :
      If many be at an Alehouse , a Christmaſſe dinner, or Churchale, and ( without any intention of an Affray) they ſodainly fall together by the eares []
  2. The strong ale brewed for this purpose.

References

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