Pronunciation: [ɔːlhˈalə͡ʊz] (IPA) 
The word "allhallows" is spelled with two Ls and two As, despite the pronunciation sounding like "alhows". The reason for this is that the word has its roots in Middle English, where the pronunciation was closer to its current spelling. Therefore, it retained its original spelling as it evolved over time. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ɔːlˈhæləʊz/, which helps to make sense of its unusual spelling.
Allhallows is a term derived from Middle English and Old English, referring to the festivities held on the evening of October 31st, known as Halloween. The term can also be used to describe the feast of All Saints' Day, which falls on November 1st. The word "allhallows" is a compound word, combining "all" and "hallows." In this context, "all" signifies the complete or universal nature, while "hallows" refers to the sacred or holy.
Historically, Allhallows was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. It was commonly thought that the spirits of deceased loved ones returned to earth on this night, and people engaged in various activities to ward off evil spirits. These practices included lighting bonfires, wearing costumes, and carving jack-o'-lanterns from turnips or pumpkins. Over time, these customs evolved into modern Halloween traditions.
In the religious sense, Allhallows refers to All Saints' Day, a Christian holiday commemorating all the saints and martyrs. This feast day is observed in many Christian denominations, and it is a time to honor and remember those who lived a virtuous life and are now believed to be in heaven. Churches often hold special services or Masses to celebrate Allhallows, and believers may visit graveyards to pay respects to their deceased loved ones.
The word "allhallows" is derived from Old English "ealra hálowena māssedæg" which means "All Saints' Day". It is a combination of "ealra" (genitive plural of "eall", meaning "all"), "hálowena" (genitive plural of "hálig", meaning "holy" or "saint"), and "māssedæg" (meaning "mass day"). Over time, the phrase was shortened to "allhālowmasse" in Middle English and eventually became "allhallows" in modern English.
