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Definition of Mardi Gras noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Mardi Gras

noun
 
/ˌmɑːdi ˈɡrɑː/
 
/ˈmɑːrdi ɡrɑː/
[uncountable] (from French)
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  1. the day before the beginning of Lent, celebrated as a holiday in some countries, with music and dancing in the streets
    CultureMardi Gras is a popular US carnival (= public festival) held in New Orleans during the week before the first day of Lent. Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday', because it ends on Shrove Tuesday, a day when people eat a lot before the start of Lent. People come from around the world to see the parades, costumes, parties and decorations and Mardi Gras 'Kings' and 'Queens' are chosen. A few other US cities celebrate Mardi Gras and it is also celebrated in some Catholic countries.
    compare Shrove TuesdayTopics Religion and festivalsc2
    Word OriginFrench, literally ‘fat Tuesday’, referring to the last day of feasting before the fast of Lent.
See Mardi Gras in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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