[f. prec., or on analogy of vbs. so formed. See -ATE3.]
(1656. Blount, Glossogr., Celebrate, to frequent, to solemnize with an Assembly of men, to make famous, also to keep a festival day or other time with great solemnity.)
1. trans. To perform publicly and in due form (any religious ceremony, a marriage, a funeral, etc.); to hold (a church council); to solemnize.
1564. (title) A godly and necessarye admonition of the Decrees and Canons of the Councel of Trent, celebrated vnder Pius the fourth.
1570. T. Norton, trans. Nowell’s Catech., B. ii. b. What forme is to be kept in celebrating the diuine misteries.
1574. Life 70 Abps. Canterbury, B j b. The Archbisshopp him selfe both preaching and celebratinge the holy communion.
1662. Office Holy Commun., 2nd Exhort. (1844), § 345. I intend, by God’s grace, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
1772. Pennant, Tours Scotl. (1774), 300. A couple were in pursuit of him, in order to have their nuptials celebrated.
1840. Arnold, Hist. Rome, II. 346. Fabius celebrated his funeral, and pronounced his funeral oration.
b. absol. (with the eucharist as implied object).
1534. in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 26. The foundation of John, Duke of Lancaster, to celebrate there for the soules of him and his ancestors.
1628. P. Smart, Vanitie Popish Cerem., 33. No side, at which any Minister can stand to celebrate.
1862. Kington, Fredk. II., II. xvi. 349. Had forced priests to celebrate in his presence.
† c. transf. To execute, enter into (a contract; cf. Sp. celebrar un contrato); to perform (an operation; cf. quot. 1471 s.v. CELEBRATE ppl. a.). Obs.
1592. West, Symbol., I. I. § 13. The thing … may be in one place, and the contract celebrated and perfected in another.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., XVIII. 646. Bleeding must of necessity be celebrated in an Inflammation of the parts, otherwise it does harm.
† 2. To consecrate by religious rites. Obs.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., IV. viii. 83. When ones instrument of venerie is bewitched, certeine characters must be written in virgine parchment, celebrated and holied by a popish priest.
3. To observe with solemn rites (a day, festival, season); to honor with religious ceremonies, festivities, or other observances (an event, occasion).
1560. Bible (Genev.), Lev. xxiii. 32. From euen to euen shall ye celebrate [Wycl. halowe, Coverd. kepe] your Sabbath.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. vi. 14. Feast and banquet in the open streets, To celebrate the ioy that God hath giuen vs.
1672. Dryden, Conq. Granada, I. i. With pomp and Sports my Love I celebrate. Ibid. (1697), Virg. Georg., I. 466. Celebrate the mighty Mother’s Day.
1737. L. Clarke, Hist. Bible, IX. (1840), I. 376. The Feast of Tabernacles being then celebrating.
1841. Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 71. The Minor Festival … is celebrated with more rejoicing than the other.
4. To make publicly known, proclaim, publish abroad.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxviii. § 8. Whose name … we celebrate with due honour.
1660. Barrow, Euclid (1714), Pref. 2. As it is commonly cited and celebrated by all men.
1738. Wesley, Hymn, When to the Temple, ii. The stones themselves would find a Voice, To celebrate his Praise.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, IX. 360. His praise the song had ceased to celebrate.
1856. Bryant, Hymn to Death, 72. And celebrates his shame in open day.
5. To speak the praises of, extol, publish the fame of.
1611. Bible, Isa. xxxviii. 18. Death cannot celebrate thee.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 241. Could we Stand in his presence … to celebrate his Throne With warbl’d Hymns?
1692. R. L’Estrange, Josephus’ Antiq., VI. vi. (1733), 139. Neither did the People forget to celebrate themselves all this while.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 513, ¶ 6. There is a noble Hymn in French, which Monsieur Bayle has celebrated for a very fine one.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 699. He celebrated the surrounding mountains for their number and size and beauty.
