February

February
\ \ [13] Etymologically, February is the ‘month of purification’. The word comes via Old French feverier and late Latin febrārius from Latin februārius (English reintroduced the Latin -ruar- spelling in the 14th century). This was a derivative of februa, a word borrowed into Latin from the language of the ancient Sabine people of Italy which was used to designate a festival of purification held on 15 February.

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • February — Feb ru*a*ry, n. [L. Februarius, orig., the month of expiation, because on the fifteenth of this month the great feast of expiation and purification was held, fr. februa, pl., the Roman festival or purification; akin to februare to purify, expiate …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • February — late 14c., from L. februarius mensis month of purification, from februa purifications, expiatory rites (plural of februum), of unknown origin, said to be a Sabine word. The last month of the ancient (pre 450 B.C.E.) Roman calendar, so named in… …   Etymology dictionary

  • February — should be pronounced with both rs fully articulated. It is now common, especially in AmE, to hear the word pronounced as if it were Febuary (and it is occasionally spelt that way too, which is a great deal worse) …   Modern English usage

  • February — ► NOUN (pl. Februaries) ▪ the second month of the year. ORIGIN Latin februarius, from februa, the name of a purification feast held in this month …   English terms dictionary

  • February — or Feb. or F. [feb′ro͞o er΄ē, feb′yo͞o er΄ē] n. pl. Februaries or Februarys [ME Februarie < L Februarius (mensis), orig. month of expiation < februa, Rom. festival of purification held Feb. 15, pl. of februum, means of purification, prob.… …   English World dictionary

  • February — For other uses, see February (disambiguation). January February March April May June July August September October November December << …   Wikipedia

  • February — Feb|ru|a|ry [ˈfebruəri, ˈfebjuri US ˈfebjueri] n [U and C] written abbreviation Feb. [Date: 1300 1400; : Latin; Origin: Februarius, from Februa, Roman religious ceremony in February to make things pure] the second month of the year, between… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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