October
/ɒkˈtoʊbər/
noun
Origin
Latin
octo — eight
Overview
Meaning Now
- The tenth month of the Gregorian calendar.
Literal older meaning
Eighth month
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
Octobre
Earliest period
12th century
Journey
In the original Roman calendar, which began in March, October was the eighth month. Even after the calendar was adjusted to begin with January, the name was retained.
Evolution
- Latin
October
“Eighth month of the Roman calendar”
The Roman calendar originally began in March.
- Old French
Octobre
“Tenth month”
- Middle English
Octobre
“Tenth month”
Connections
Word parts
oct-
root
eight
-ber
suffix
adjectival suffix of uncertain origin
Related across languages
French
octobre
October
Spanish
octubre
October
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Related to October
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.