SuaviloquyToday’s word

pilgrimage

Pilgrimage, n.

Etymology: [OE. pilgrimage, pelgrinage; cf. F. pèlerinage.]

1. The journey of a pilgrim; a long journey; especially, a journey to a shrine or other sacred place. Fig., the journey of human life. Shak. The days of the years of my pilgrimage. Gen. xlvii. 9.

2. A tedious and wearisome time. In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage. Shak.

Syn. -- Journey; tour; excursion. See Journey.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for pilgrimage; he lists it under journey.

Where he writes about it:

Pilgrimage, once always of a sacred character, retains in derived uses something of that sense; as, a pilgrimage to Stratford-on-Avon. — from journey

Synonyms

journeyexcursionexpeditiontourtransittraveltripvoyage

Antonyms

none given

etymologyWebster’s online