Meanings
plural love feasts
- ChristianityA religious service held by Moravians, Methodists and some other group, in imitation of such gatherings, characterised by partaking in a simple meal.First known use 17th c.
He then invited me to a love-feast at his chapel that evening.
1789, Olaudah Equiano, chapter 10, in The Interesting Narrative, volume I
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA symbolic communal meal held by early Christians in commemoration of the eucharist.
More synonyms by meaning
nouna religious meal shared as a sign of love and fellowship
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
From love + feast, partial calque of Latin agape and Koine Greek ἀγάπη (agápē).
Full word history & related roots →Translations
German Liebesmahl, Liebesmahl
- Liebesmahlsymbolic communal meal — see also agape
- Liebesmahlbanquet to promote goodwill
Swedish kärleksmåltid
- kärleksmåltidsymbolic communal meal — see also agape
Cite this entry
love feast. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/love%20feast
“love feast.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/love%20feast. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “love feast,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/love%20feast.
Source: love feast on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.