Shrove Tuesday
    n 1: the last day before Lent [syn: Mardi Gras, Shrove
         Tuesday, pancake day]

Shrove \Shrove\,
   imp. of Shrive.
   [1913 Webster]

   Shrove Sunday, Quinguagesima Sunday.

   Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday following Quinguagesima Sunday,
      and preceding the first day of Lent, or Ash Wednesday.

   Note: It was formerly customary in England, on this day, for
         the people to confess their sins to their parish
         priests, after which they dined on pancakes, or
         fritters, and the occasion became one of merriment. The
         bell rung on this day is popularly called Pancake Bell,
         and the day itself Pancake Tuesday. --P. Cyc.
         [1913 Webster]