February
/ˈfɛb.juˌɛr.i/noun
The second month of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
Did you know?February takes its name from the Roman purification festival Februa, tied to rites of cleansing and atonement before the new year in ancient Rome.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Italic
PI
*februo-
“purification, cleansing rite”
Ancient Latin
Latin
februarius
“relating to purification; the month of purification”
Late Latin
Latin
februarius mensis
“the month of purification”
Old French
Old French
fevrier
“February”
Middle English
English
fevrier / fevereer
“February”
Modern English
English
February
“the second month of the year”
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