Shrove Tuesday Definition

noun

The day before Ash Wednesday.

American Heritage

The day before the beginning of Lent, when pancakes are traditionally eaten, originally to use up milk and eggs that would otherwise spoil because of not being eaten during Lent.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
pancake-day
mardi-gras

Origin of Shrove Tuesday

From shrove, past tense of shrive, from the mediaeval practice of priests hearing confessions before Lent, and Tuesday.

From Wiktionary
Shrove(tide) Tuesday

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition