King James Bible Dictionary

Originally a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, in honour of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover. Hence the name came to be given to the festival of the Resurrection of Christ, which occured at the time of the Passover. In the early English versions this word was frequently used as the translation of the Greek pascha (the Passover). When the Authorized Version (1611) was formed, the word "passover" was used in all passages in which this word pascha occurred, except in Acts 12:4. In the Revised Version the proper word, "passover," is always used.

Acts 12:4

(Acts 12:4) In the earlier English versions Easter has been frequently used as the translation of pascha (passover). In the Authorized Version Passover was substituted in all passages but this; and in the new Revision Passover is used here. [PASSOVER]

E'ASTER, noun

A festival of the christian church observed in commemoration of our Savior's resurrection. It answers to the pascha or passover of the Hebrews, and most nations still give it this name, pascha, pask, paque.

E'ASTERLING, noun A native of some country eastward of another.

1. A species of waterfowl.

E'ASTERLY, adjective Coming from the eastward; as an easterly wind.

1. Situated towards the east; as the easterly side of a lake or country.

2. Towards the east; as, to move in an easterly direction.

3. Looking towards the east; as an easterly exposure.

E'ASTERLY, adverb On the east; in the direction of east.

E'ASTERN, adjective Oriental; being or dwelling in the east; as eastern kings; eastern countries; eastern nations.

1. Situated towards the east; on the east part; as the eastern side of a town or church; the eastern gate.

2. Going towards the east, or in the direction of east; as an eastern voyage.