Martinmas

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) The feast of St. Martin, the eleventh of November; - often called martlemans.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

or the Mass of St. Martin, a feast kept on the 11th of November in honor of St. Martin of Tours. The feast was often a merry one. In England and Scotland the winter's provisions were, in olden days, cured and stored up at that time of the year, and were hence called a mart. Luther derived his first name from being born on the eve of this festival; in Germany called also Martinalia. See Eadlie, Eccles. Cyclop. s.v.; Regensburg Real- Encyklop. 9:312, Colossians 1, (3).