New Year
/ˌnjuː ˈjɪər/noun
The beginning of a new calendar year, or the celebration marking that beginning.
Did you know?Ancient New Year festivals often involved purification, vows, debt-setting, and symbolic renewal long before January 1 became the standard date.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*néwos
“New; fresh or recently made”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yēro-
“Year; a cycle or season of time”
Ancient Greek
Greek
neos; hōra
“Neos: new; hōra: a season, period, or year”
Latin
Latin
novus; annus
“Novus: new; annus: year”
Old English
Old English
nīwe gēar
“New year; the beginning of a fresh annual cycle”
Middle English
Middle English
newe yer
“New year or the start of the year”
Modern English
English
New Year
“The beginning of the calendar year and its associated celebration”