Traditional songs, especially religious ones sung during Christmas celebrations. Can also refer to songs of joy or praise in general.
From Old French 'carole', originally meaning a circle dance accompanied by singing. The word entered Middle English in the 13th century, initially describing any joyful song or dance before becoming specifically associated with Christmas music.
The word 'carol' originally had nothing to do with Christmas - it described medieval ring dances where people held hands and sang while moving in a circle. It's only through centuries of Christian tradition that we now think of carols as exclusively religious winter songs.
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