Search the Dictionary

Fig.: With reference to the end of the year and to the winter season; as, the December of his life.

zone at the autumnal equinox, about September 23, and ends at the winter solstice, about December 23; but in popular language, autumn, in America, comprises September, October, and November.

Any Friday on which a public disaster has occurred, as: In England, December 6, 1745, when the news of the landing of the Pretender reached London, or May 11, 1866, when a financial panic commenced. In the United States, September 24, 1869, and September 18, 1873, on which financial panics began.

The tenth sign of zodiac, into which the sun enters at the winter solstice, about December 21. See Tropic. The sun was entered into Capricorn. Dryden.

A day (December 28) observed by mass or festival in commemoration of the children slain by Herod at Bethlehem; -- called also Holy Innocent's Day.

h month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, answering to a part of November with a part of December.

used by Dionysius Exiguus (died about 540), who placed the birth of Christ on the 25th of December in the year of Rome 754, which year he counted as 1 a. d. This date for Christ's birth is now generally thought to be about four years too late.

An annual church festival (December 25) and in some States a legal holiday, in memory of the birth of Christ, often celebrated by a particular church service, and also by special gifts, greetings, and hospitality. Christmas box. (a) A box in which presents are deposited at Christmas. (b) A present or small gratuity giv…

d. Locke. THe most exact chronologers tell us that Christ was born in October, and not in December. John Knox.

inst the Emperor Nicholas on his accession to the throne at the death of Alexander I., in December, 1825; -- called also Dekabrist.

c., or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December. He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii. 30.

menstruum; a solvent. Melted in the crucible dissolvents. A. Smith. The secret treaty of December acted as an immediate dissolvent to the truce. Mothley.

e been taught to respect yourselves. Burke. Forefathers' Day, the anniversary of the day (December 21) on which the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620). On account of a mistake in reckoning the change from Old Style to New Style, it has generally been celebrated on the 22d.

The third month of the French republican calendar. It commenced November 21, and ended December 20., See Vendémiaire.

hn x. 22, is held for eight days (beginning with the 25th day of Kislev, corresponding to December), and is celebrated everywhere, chiefly as a festival of lights, by the Jews.

A dry, hot wind, prevailing on the Atlantic coast of Africa, in December, January, and February, blowing from the interior or Sahara. It is usually accompanied by a haze which obscures the sun.

To assemble together; to congregate; as, Congress meets on the first Monday of December. They . . . appointed a day to meet together. 2. Macc. xiv. 21.

, occuring about the 9th or 10th of August and 13th of November, more rarely in April and December, and also at some other periods.

le of September, and from the northeast from about the middle of October to the middle of December.

The fourth month of the French republican calendar [1792-1806]. It commenced December 21, and ended January 19. See VendÉmiaire.