esbat

[ es-bat ]

noun

1. a convocation of witches.

Word History and Origins

Origin of esbat¹

1965–70; apparently a contemporary borrowing of Old French esbat amusement, diversion ( French ébat ), derivative of esbattre frolic, equivalent to es- ex- ¹ + battre < Latin battuere pound, beat; compare obsolete English esbatement amusement

Example Sentences

Plus j'ai de toi souvent est� battue, Plus mon amour s'efforce et s'�vertue De regretter ceste main qui me bat; Car ce mal-l� m'estait plaisant esbat.

From Project Gutenberg

This was apparently the usual course of the ritual of the Sabbath; the Esbat had less ceremonial, and the religious service was not performed.

From Project Gutenberg

But the Great Assemblies were always held on the four original days, and it is this fact which makes it possible to distinguish with certainty between the Sabbath and the Esbat whenever dates are mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg

Boguet's evidence also points to there being a settled site for the Esbat in each village: 'Les Sorciers du costé de Longchamois s'assembloient en vn pré, qui est sur le grand chemin tirant à S. Claude, où l'on voit les ruines d'vne maison.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not unlikely that she was originally the same as the Queen of Elfhame; in Scotland, however, in the seventeenth century, there is a Maiden of the Coven, which was an important position in the Esbat but entirely distinct from the Queen of Faery, while in other places a woman, not the Queen, is often the officer and holds the highest place after the Grand Master.

From Project Gutenberg