march etymology

Etymology

The word "March" has its origins in several ancient languages:

• Latin: "Martius" or "Martius Mensis" (Month of Mars)
• Proto-Indo-European: "*marti-" (to shine, fight)

Meaning and Origin

March is the third month of the Gregorian calendar and has the following meanings and origins:

1. God of War:

• In Roman mythology, March was named after Mars, the god of war and agriculture.
• Mars was believed to protect soldiers and bring fertility to the land in springtime.

2. Shining:

• The Proto-Indo-European root "*marti-" also means "to shine."
• The early Romans associated March with the return of sunlight and the end of winter.

3. Military Expeditions:

• In ancient Rome, March was a month when military campaigns typically began.
• The term "march" also came to refer to military maneuvers and processions.

4. Legal and Tax Matters:

• In ancient Rome, March was a time for settling debts and taxes.
• The Romans held a festival called the "Ides of March" on the 15th of the month, when financial obligations were due.

5. Vernal Equinox:

• In the Northern Hemisphere, March is associated with the vernal equinox, when day and night are of equal length.
• This time of year marks the transition from winter to spring.

Additional Information

• March has 31 days.
• Its zodiac signs are Pisces (February 19 - March 20) and Aries (March 21 - April 19).
• The birthstone for March is aquamarine.
• March is also known as the "Windy Month" due to its often unpredictable weather.

march relate terms

• border

  Etymology The word border has its roots in the Old English word bord which means e

• board

  Etymology Board comes from the Old English word bord which ultimately derives from t

• march

  Etymology The word March has its origins in several ancient languages Latin Martiu

• bound

  Etymology Old English bindan Proto Germanic bindaną Meaning To tie fasten

• loud

  Etymology The word loud comes from the Middle English word loude which in turn orig

• mark

  Etymology The name Mark is derived from the Proto Indo European root merk meaning

• marquis

  Etymology The word marquis has a long and complex etymological history derived from mu

• bissextile

  Etymology Latin bissextus meaning twice the sixth Meaning An intercalary day

• parade

  Etymology Middle English paraide from Old French parade from Italian parata defens

• confederation

  Etymology Latin confederatio from con together foederare to league Meaning

• progression

  Etymology The word progression comes from the Latin word progressio which is derive

• troop

  Etymology Troop derives from the Old French word trope which in turn comes from the L

• charm

  Etymology Old French charme Latin carmen incantation spell song Proto Indo Euro