Definitions

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

  • noun The personification of the spirit of Christmas, usually represented as a jolly fat old man with a white beard and a red suit, who brings gifts to good children on Christmas Eve.

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

  • proper noun A mythological figure who traditionally is believed to bring presents to people (especially children) at Christmas time.

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

[Probably alteration of Dutch Sinterklaas, from Middle Dutch Sinterclaes, St. Nicholas : sint, saint (from Middle Dutch, from Old French saint; see saint) + heer, lord; see Mynheer + claes (short for Niclaes, Nicholas).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From the Dutch folk tale of Sinterklaas based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas, a bishop from Myra in Asia Minor.

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Examples

  • The name Santa Claus can be traced back to the Dutch even more Jake, the red suit and presents derive from the Norse myths.

    msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines 2011

  • As you know, traders are very superstitious people and they put a lot of stock in what they call the Santa Claus rally effect.

    CNN Transcript Jan 2, 2006 2006

  • This is what I call the Santa Claus method of dealing with particularly troublesome concepts in a sitcom.

    TV Squad 2009

  • First, most Christian parents introduce their children to the idea of Santa Claus, which is reinforced through cartoons, movies, and storybooks.

    Born to Believe Andrew Newberg 2006

  • First, most Christian parents introduce their children to the idea of Santa Claus, which is reinforced through cartoons, movies, and storybooks.

    Born to Believe Andrew Newberg 2006

  • "And all because of this person they call Santa Claus!" exclaimed the

    A Kidnapped Santa Claus 1887

  • And, since that strength has been most pronounced in countries that celebrate Christmas, this strength can genuinely go by the name Santa Claus

    MarketWatch.com - Top Stories 2011

  • And, since that strength has been most pronounced in countries that celebrate Christmas, this strength can genuinely go by the name Santa Claus

    MarketWatch.com - Top Stories 2011

  • And, since that strength has been most pronounced in countries that celebrate Christmas, this strength can genuinely go by the name Santa Claus

    MarketWatch.com - Top Stories 2011

  • And, since that strength has been most pronounced in countries that celebrate Christmas, this strength can genuinely go by the name Santa Claus

    Wall Street starts 2011 with bulls in charge NewsWatch - MarketWatch 2011

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