Jubile

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Jubilee \Ju"bi*lee\, n. [F. jubil['e], L. jubilaeus, Gr. ?, fr.
     Heb. y[=o]bel the blast of a trumpet, also the grand
     sabbatical year, which was announced by sound of trumpet.]
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     1. (Jewish Hist.) Every fiftieth year, being the year
        following the completion of each seventh sabbath of years,


        at which time all the slaves of Hebrew blood were
        liberated, and all lands which had been alienated during
        the whole period reverted to their former owners. [In this
        sense spelled also, in some English Bibles, {jubile}.]
        --Lev. xxv. 8-17.
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     2. The joyful commemoration held on the fiftieth anniversary
        of any event; as, the jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign;
        the jubilee of the American Board of Missions.
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     3. (R. C. Ch.) A church solemnity or ceremony celebrated at
        Rome, at stated intervals, originally of one hundred
        years, but latterly of twenty-five; a plenary and
        extraordinary indulgence granted by the sovereign pontiff
        to the universal church. One invariable condition of
        granting this indulgence is the confession of sins and
        receiving of the eucharist.
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     4. A season of general joy.
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              The town was all a jubilee of feasts. --Dryden.
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     5. A state of joy or exultation. [R.] "In the jubilee of his
        spirits." --Sir W. Scott.
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