Obs. exc. dial. For forms see CHRISTEN a. [App. an assimilation of the proper cristes-mass, criste-mas, to CRISTEN, owing perh. to the shortening of the i, which separated it in sound from CHRIST.] = CHRISTMAS. (The ordinary form in northern dial.)
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 502. After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentoun.
1482. Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 50. The thirde daye after crystynmas daye.
1529. Rastell, Pastyme (1811), 40. At Crystenmas.
1601. Weever, Mirr. Mart., E vj. In Christenmas vpon Saint Thomas day.
1855. Whitby Gloss., Kessenmas.
1879. Jamieson, Christenmass.
