English
Etymology
With reference to Tobit 8:1-3, in which w:Tobias|Tobias banishes a demon on his wedding-night.
Pronunciation
IPA|/t��'baɪ�s naɪt/
Noun
Tobias night
- A wedding night on which consummation of the marriage is postponed (usually in plural).
Quotations
1922, In various parts of Germany and Switzerland continence is observed for three nights after marriage, which are frequently known as the �Tobias nights�; it is believed that otherwise the wedded life of the couple would be unlucky, whereas if they abstain from intercourse the devil will not be able to do any harm. � Edward Westermarck, History of Human Marriage (Kessinger 2003, p.558)
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