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Webster 1913 Edition

Saros

Sa′ros

,
Noun.
[NL., fr. Gr. [GREEK]]
(Astron)
A Chaldean astronomical period or cycle, the length of which has been variously estimated from 3,600 years to 3,600 days, or a little short of 10 years.
Brande & C.

Definition 2024

saros

saros

See also: sáros

English

Alternative forms

  • Saros

Noun

saros ‎(plural saroses or saroi)

  1. (historical, Babylon) A period of 3600 years.
  2. (astronomy) A period of 223 synodic months (approximately 18 years 11 days 8 hours), after which the relative positions of the earth, sun and moon recur, used to predict eclipses.

Related terms

  • saronic

Anagrams

Etymology

From Ancient Greek σάρος ‎(sáros), from Akkadian.

The modern astronomical usage is attributed to Edmond Halley, who based it on the word σάρος, defined in the Suda as "a measure and a number among Chaldeans. For 120 saroi make 2222 years according to the Chaldeans' reckoning, if indeed the saros makes 222 lunar months, which are 18 years and 6 months."

It may come from the Babylonian word "sāru" meaning the number 3600.

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