n. [ Gael. bealltainn, bealltuinn. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. The first day of May (Old Style). [ 1913 Webster ]
The quarter-days anciently in Scotland were Hallowmas, Candlemas, Beltane, and Lammas. New English Dict. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. A festival of the heathen Celts on the first day of May, in the observance of which great bonfires were kindled. It still exists in a modified form in some parts of Scotland and Ireland. [ 1913 Webster ]