Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Primarily, in Italy, an Epiphany present or gift.
- noun [capitalized] The witch or fairy said to bring children the sweetmeats and other rewards given them on the eve of Epiphany, or to neglect and punish them.
- noun A large rag doll, representing the Befana, placed on the chimneys of cottages, etc., or displayed in shops, in Italy, where Epiphany gifts are sold, for the terror or amusement of children.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Noise is the first consideration for a successful befana, noise of any kind, shrill, gruff, high, low -- any sort of noise; and the first purchase of everyone who comes must be a tin horn, a pipe, or one of those grotesque little figures of painted earthenware, representing some characteristic type of
Ave Roma Immortalis, Vol. 1 Studies from the Chronicles of Rome 1881
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The thing that always amazes me about making befana is that it takes four of us to do what my Nonna accomplished by herself - but, that is the fun.
CNN.com 2010
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Growing up with an Italian grandmother, Christmas meant befana cookies.
CNN.com 2010
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Nonna would make enough befana cookies to fill a glass jar that was about two feet tall.
CNN.com 2010
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My Nonna passed away in November of 2001 and unfortunately, no one in the family had learned how to make the befana cookies.
CNN.com 2010
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Italian legend has La Befana as a good witch in the style of Santa Claus, but for some reason in my family, befana became the name for Christmas cookies.
CNN.com 2010
qms commented on the word befana
While Santa and elves are all male
Controlling the yuletide portrayal,
The patient Italiana,
Epiphany's Befana,
Knows women who wait will prevail.
January 6, 2016