Arval

ˈɑrvəl

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Arval
A funeral feast.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

(n) arval
A funeral feast; a wake.
arval
Connected with or relating to funeral celebrations.
arval
Pertaining or relating to arable or plowed land.

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary W. arwyl, funeral; ar, over + wylo, to weep, or cf. arföl,; Icel. arfr, inheritance + Sw. öl, ale. Cf. Bridal

Usage in literature

The oldest existing example of Latin or Roman literature is the sacred chant of the Frates Arvales. "The Interdependence of Literature" by Georgina Pell Curtis

Revival of the ancient ritual; illustrated from the records of the Arval Brethren. "The Religious Experience of the Roman People" by W. Warde Fowler

In the Augustan revival membership in the College of the Arval Brothers was sought by distinguished citizens. "Introduction to the History of Religions" by Crawford Howell Toy

THE HYMN OF THE ARVAL BROTHERHOOD. "The Oxford Book of Latin Verse" by Various

Usage in poetry

I shall not hear your trentals,
Nor eat your arval bread;
For the kin of you will surely do
Their duty by the dead.

"Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia" by Rupert Brooke

I shall not hear your trentals,
Nor eat your arval bread,
Nor with smug breath tell lies of death
To the unanswering dead.

"Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia" by Rupert Brooke