a folkloric figure resembling an ugly but kind old witch who gives treats or presents to children in the night before Epiphany
(colloquial) Epiphany (Christian feast)
(alt-of) alternative letter-case form of befana
Frequency
Hyphenated as
Be‧fà‧na
Pronounced as (IPA)
/beˈfa.na/
Etymology
From Vulgar Latin or Late Latin *epiphanĭa for Latin epiphanīa, from Ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια (epipháneia, “manifestation, striking appearance”). Doublet of Epifania.