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Webster 1913 Edition


Calends

Cal′ends

,
Noun.
pl.
[OE.
kalendes
month, calends, AS.
calend
month, fr. L.
calendae
; akin to
calare
to call, proclaim, Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK]. CF.
Claim
.]
The first day of each month in the ancient Roman calendar.
[Written also
kalends
.]
The Greek calends
,
a time that will never come, as the Greeks had no calends.

Webster 1828 Edition


Calends

CALENDS

,
Noun.
plu.
Among the Romans, the fist day of each month. The origin of this name is differently related. Varro supposes it to have originated in the practice of notifying the time of the new moon, by a priest who called out or proclaimed the fact, to the people, and the number of the calends, or the day of the nones. Others alledge that the people be convened, the pontifex proclaimed the several feasts or holidays in the month; a custom which was discontinued in the year of Rom 450, when the fasti or calendar was set up in public places, to give notice of the festivals.