Kirmes
German
Alternative forms
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle High German kirmesse, contraction of kirche (“church”) + messe (“mass”), referring to annual solemn masses on the anniversaries of the consecration of village churches (contemporary Kirchweihfest), which developed into major village festivals. Compare the same in Dutch kermis.
Pronunciation
Noun
Kirmes f (genitive Kirmes, plural Kirmessen)
Usage notes
- Common throughout western and central Germany. It is also used in some parts of northern and southern Germany, but may not be familiar to speakers from certain regions.
Synonyms
Further reading
- “Kirmes” in Duden online