Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural Feb·ru·ar·ies.
- the second month of the year, ordinarily containing 28 days, but containing 29 days in leap years. Abbreviation: Feb.
noun plural -aries
- the second month of the year, consisting of 28 or (in a leap year) 29 days
late 14c., from Latin 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 reference to the Roman feast of purification, held on the ides of the month. In Britain, replaced Old English solmonað “mud month.” English first (c.1200) borrowed it from Old French Feverier, which yielded feoverel before a respelling to conform to Latin.