Halloween (sh) and atmospheric (iou)

Halloween (sh)

Holiday observed on October 31, the eve of All Saints' Day.

Its pagan origins can be traced to the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated in ancient England and Ireland to mark the beginning of the Celtic new year. The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on Samhain eve, and witches, goblins, black cats, and ghosts were said to roam abroad. The night was also thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning Marriage, luck, Health, and death. The pagan observances influenced the Christian festival of All Hallows' Eve, celebrated on the same date. The holiday was gradually secularized and was introduced into the U.S. by the late 19th century. Still associated with evil spirits and the supernatural, it is celebrated by children in costume who gather candy by ringing doorbells and calling out "trick or treat," "trick" referring to the pranks and vandalism that are also part of the Halloween tradition.

atmospheric (iou)

atmospheric adjective & noun. L18.
[from ATMOSPHERE + -IC.]
A. adjective.
Of or pertaining to the atmosphere; existing or taking place in the atmosphere; operated or produced by the action of the atmosphere. L18.
atmospheric engine a steam engine in which the piston is forced down by atmospheric pressure after the condensation of the steam which has raised it. atmospheric pressure spec. = ATMOSPHERE noun 3. atmospheric railway: in which motive power is provided by atmospheric pressure acting against a partial vacuum produced in a pipe laid between the rails.
Possessing or evoking a particular or characteristic tone, mood, or set of associations. E20.
b. noun.
In pl. Evocative qualities or effects, esp. in a photograph. L19.
In pl. & (rare) sing. Electrical disturbances in the atmosphere; interference with telecommunications so caused. E20.
atmospherical adjective = ATMOSPHERIC adjective M17.
atmospherically adverb L19.

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