English
Halloween
Halloween comes from Scots; the Scots form is not named.
- Scotsc. 1450–presentform not named
- EnglishtodayHalloween
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Scotsc. 1450–presentform not named
- EnglishtodayHalloween
The story
For the American pronunciation with /ɑ/, compare the Southern English traditional dialect pronunciations fallow /ˈfɒ.lə/ and tallow /ˈtɒ.lə/.
Today it means
name The eve of All Hallows' Day; October 31st; celebrated (mostly in English-speaking countries) by children going door-to-door in costume and soliciting candy with menaces.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Halloween