How Do You Spell CALENDS?

Pronunciation: [kˈaləndz] (IPA)

Calends is a word that is not commonly used in modern English, but it refers to the first day of each month in the ancient Roman calendar. The spelling of this word may be confusing due to its unusual pronunciation. The IPA transcription for Calends is /ˈkælɛndz/, which indicates that it is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable (KAL-ends) and a soft "c" sound followed by the "a" and "l" sounds. This makes it different from the more familiar word "calendar," which has a hard "c" sound.

CALENDS Meaning and Definition

1. Calends refers to the first day of each month in the ancient Roman calendar system. Derived from the Latin word "calendae," meaning "to call out" or "announce," it denotes the day on which the priests would publicly announce the new moon, marking the beginning of the upcoming month. In the Roman calendar, the calends occurred either on the first day of the lunar cycle or on the first day following the completion of the moon's first quarter.

   During the calends, the Romans observed certain customs and rituals. Debtors were expected to pay their debts during this time, and Roman citizens would offer sacrifices to the gods in temples or other sacred places. Additionally, many legal and administrative matters were scheduled and conducted on the calends, such as taking oaths, public assemblies, and making official announcements.

   However, the use of the term "calends" expanded beyond the Roman calendar system and found its way into literary and historical references. It often signifies the start or beginning of something, introducing a particular period or era. Furthermore, in modern usage, the term "calends" is occasionally employed metaphorically to depict a time that is imaginary, elusive, or impossible to attain.

   In essence, the concept of calends represents an important marker in the ancient Roman calendar, signifying the first day of the month and holding cultural and societal significance through customs, rituals, and administrative activities.

2. First day of each month among the Romans.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for CALENDS

• xalends
• valends
• falends
• dalends
• czlends
• cslends
• cwlends
• cqlends
• cakends
• capends
• caoends
• calwnds
• calsnds
• caldnds
• calrnds
• cal4nds
• cal3nds
• calebds
• calemds

Etymology of CALENDS

The word "Calends" comes from the Latin "calendae", which in turn is derived from the verb "calare", meaning "to call out" or "to proclaim". In the ancient Roman calendar, the Calends referred to the first day of the month, on which the priests would announce the date for the upcoming month. The term "Calends" is used in the English language to refer to the first day of any month.

Similar spelling words for CALENDS

• Lends,
• calendar.