Revel, n. (Arch.) — Webster enters it under “revel”
See Reveal. [R.]
3 other Webster entries under this spelling
Revel, n.
A feast with loose and noisy jollity; riotous festivity or merrymaking; a carousal. This day in mirth and revel to dispend. Chaucer. Some men ruin . . . their bodies by incessant revels. Rambler. Master of the revels, Revel master. Same as Lord of misrule, under Lord.
Revel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Reveled or Revelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Reveling or Revelling.]
1. To feast in a riotous manner; to carouse; to act the bacchanalian; to make merry. Shak.
2. To move playfully; to indulge without restraint. "Where joy most revels." Shak.
Revel, v. t.
To draw back; to retract. [Obs.] Harvey.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists reveling only as an antonym, under abstinence.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.