Săt'ur-nā'li-ă, n. pl.

n. pl. [Lat. See supra.]

1. (Rom. Antiq.) The festival of Saturn, celebrated in December, originally during one day, but afterward during seven days, as a period of unrestrained license and merriment for all classes, extending even to the slaves.
2. Hence, a period or occasion of general license, especially one in which the lower elements of society or character gain or are allowed a temporary ascendency.