from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Beltane \Bel"tane\, 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]