1. Plural of belsnickle; costumed figures, often frightening or grotesque, who visit homes during the Christmas season in some German-American and other European-American traditions, typically rewarding good children and playfully punishing or frightening misbehaving ones.
Usage: chiefly historical; regional (Pennsylvania Dutch country and related areas); also spelled 'Belsnickels' or 'Belsnickel'

Examples

• The belsnickles arrived on Christmas Eve, their masks and costumes delighting and terrifying the children in equal measure.
• In Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, belsnickles would visit homes to test whether children had behaved well throughout the year.
• The old stories spoke of belsnickles who carried switches to swat naughty children and candy for the obedient ones.
• Local historians documented how belsnickles were part of the region's unique Christmas customs.
• The children huddled together as the belsnickles approached, unsure whether to laugh or hide.