January
pronunciation
How to pronounce January in British English:
UK [ˈdʒænjuəri]
How to pronounce January in American English:
US [ˈdʒænjueri]
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- Noun:
- the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
Word Origin
- January
- January: [14] The ancient Romans had a god named Janus whose head had two faces, looking in opposite directions. He was the tutelary deity of doorways, and his festival month was at the beginning of the year, when he could look both backwards at the old year and forwards to the new one. This month was therefore called Jānuārius mensis ‘month of Janus’ – whence English January.
- January (n.)
- late 13c., Ieneuer, from Old North French Genever, Old French Jenvier (Modern French Janvier), attested from early 12c. in Anglo-French, from Latin Ianuarius (mensis) "(the month) of Janus," to whom the month was sacred as the beginning of the year (see Janus; cognates: Italian Gennaio, Provençal Genovier, Portuguese Janeiro). The form was gradually Latinized by c. 1400. Replaced Old English geola se æfterra "Later Yule." In Chaucer, a type-name for an old man.
Example
- 1. Her funeral was held in beijing on january 8 .
- 2. Two more are to follow in january .
- 3. William turnbull will turn 90 in january .
- 4. On january 4th the police charged the driver with accidental death .
- 5. His sentencing hearing is expected in january .