December

Overview

Meaning Now

• The twelfth and final month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, having 31 days.

Journey

In the early Roman calendar (attributed to Romulus), the year consisted of ten months, starting in March and ending in December (the tenth month). January and February were added later to the calendar system, but the names of the last four months (September, October, November, December) retained their original numeric meaning derived from the Latin numbers for seven, eight, nine, and ten.

Evolution

1. Latin

   December

   “the tenth month of the Roman calendar”

   In the original Roman calendar (pre-Julian), the year began in March.

2. Old French

   decembre

   “the twelfth month”

3. Middle English

   decembre

   “the twelfth month”

Connections

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