calendar etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: "calendae" (first day of the month)
  • Proto-Indo-European: "*kwele-n-" (to call, to announce)

Meaning and Origin:

In ancient Rome, the "calendae" were the days of the month when the priests would announce (calare) the upcoming religious observances. This announcement was made at the beginning of each month (the 1st for January, the 5th for February, etc.).

Over time, the term "calendae" came to refer to the entire month itself, rather than just the specific announcement day. The Roman calendar, established by Numa Pompilius around 700 BC, was initially based on a lunisolar system, with months consisting of either 29 or 30 days.

In the Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, the months were fixed to a set number of days, ranging from 28 to 31. The days of the month were then numbered in sequence from "calendae" to "idus" (the 13th or 15th) and then to "nonae" (the 7th or 5th).

The names of the months also reflect their origins in the Roman calendar. For example, "September" comes from "septem" (seven) because it was the seventh month in the original Roman calendar.

calendar relate terms

  • calender

    Etymology The word calendar originates from the Latin word calendarium which in turn

  • calender

    Etymology The word calendar originates from the Latin word calendarium which in turn

  • calends

    Etymology Latin calendae Proto Indo European ḱal ḱalH to call Meaning

  • calendar

    Etymology Latin calendae first day of the month Proto Indo European kwele n

  • intercalate

    Etymology From Latin intercalāre to insert interpolate from inter between

  • Gregorian

    Etymology The name Gregorian comes from Pope Gregory XIII who introduced the Gregoria

  • October

    Etymology October is derived from the Latin word octo meaning eight Meaning Oct

  • embolism

    Etymology Greek embolos plug Latin embolismus insertion Meaning An embo

  • September

    Etymology The name September comes from the Latin word Septem meaning seven This

  • April

    Etymology April is derived from the Latin word aperire meaning to open This is lik

  • almanac

    Etymology al Latin to manach Greek calendar list Meaning A book contain

  • schedule

    Etymology Old French eschedual Latin schedula Greek schedē a writing tablet Mea

  • arrangement

    Etymology Old French arangement Latin ad to rangere to set in order Mea

  • table

    Word Etymology Meaning Origin Table Old French table from