Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Santa Claus.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun Alternative spelling of Kris Kringle. Santa Claus.
  • proper noun A Christmas decoration made from an orange tied around the middle with a red ribbon and a candle inserted.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Alteration of German dialectal Christkindl, Christmas present, the Christ child : German Christ, Christ (from Middle High German Krist, from Old High German Krīst, from Latin Chrīstus; see Christ) + German dialectal Kindl (diminutive of German Kind, child, from Middle High German kint, from Old High German kind; see genə- in Indo-European roots).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

German Christ Kinde or dialectal Christkindl, "Christ Child".

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Examples

  • A German friend tells me that the form Kriss Kringle, which is that given in the Standard Dictionary, and the form Krisking’l, which is that most commonly used in the United States, are both quite unknown in Germany.

    Chapter 3. The Period of Growth. 4. Loan-Words and Non-English Influences Henry Louis 1921

  • Santa's alias, "Kriss Kringle," means Christ child in German, and referred to a medieval legend that the infant Jesus distributed presents.

    thanks! melcircus 2005

  • "It's Santa Claus - old Kriss Kringle, and see how you like it!" laughs an exultant voice, and in an instant the bar had been slipped and the lamp rekindled, and Kagi was standing grinning all over his face in the doorway, with the rain pouring off his shawl.

    THE NUMBERS 2010

  • O'BRIEN: I look like the character of young Kriss Kringle in "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

    CNN Transcript Jan 3, 2008 2008

  • Coal lobbyists, Kriss Kringle muses, are a powerful bunch.

    Clean Coal and the Clause 2008

  • Days ago, is a moment of deep despair Kriss Kringle turned to the television.

    Clean Coal and the Clause 2008

  • The new "Miracle" -- directed by Les Mayfield, and produced and co-written by John Hughes -- stars renowned director Richard Attenborough as Kriss Kringle, the departmentstore Santa who insists he's the real thing.

    Lumps Of Coal 2008

  • Kriss Kringle is optimistic as he contemplates the recent energy appointments.

    Clean Coal and the Clause 2008

  • However, Kriss Kringle contends, this suggested commitment to transformation could be challenged and Santa Claus offers his arguments.

    Clean Coal and the Clause 2008

  • If you've got some snapshots like this, we'd like for to you share them with us, or a terrified tot or some other Kriss Kringle craziness.

    CNN Transcript Dec 20, 2006 2006

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