{Wassail bowl}, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed
upon the table. ``Spiced wassail bowl.'' --J. Fletcher.
``When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge
silver vessel . . . Its appearance was hailed with
acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in
Christmas festivity.'' --W. Irving.
{Wassail cup}, a cup from which wassail was drunk.
Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of
Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the
daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of
the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine,
exclaimed, Lord king w[ae]s heil, that is,
literally, Health be to you. --N. Drake.
2. An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in
drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. ``In merry wassail
he . . . peals his loud song.'' --Sir W. Scott.
The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail. --Shak.
The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and
wassail. --Prescott.
3. The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly
much used in England at Christmas and other festivals,
made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast,
roasted apples, etc.; -- called also {lamb's wool}.
A jolly wassail bowl, A wassail of good ale. --Old
Song.
4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]
Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy
ditty, I'll assure you. --Beau. & Fl.
Spending all the day, and good part of the night, in
dancing, caroling, and wassailing. --Sir P.
Sidney.