Februalia
/fɪˈbruːəliə/noun
An ancient Roman festival of purification and expiation held during February.
Did you know?The Februalia involved rites intended to cleanse ritual pollution, and its name helped give February its modern English name.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman Italy
Sabine/Italic
februum
“An instrument or means of purification; the precise origin is uncertain.”
2nd–1st Century BCE
Latin
februare
“To purify or cleanse ritually.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Februarius
“The month of purification, associated with rites performed before the new year.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Februalia
“Purification rites or festival observances held in February.”
8th Century
Late Latin
Februalia
“The Roman purification festival, preserved in ecclesiastical and antiquarian writing.”
Modern English
English
Februalia
“A historical term for the ancient Roman festival of purification.”