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Webster 1913 Edition

February

Feb′ru-a-ry

,
Noun.
[L.
Februarius
, orig., the month of expiation, because on the fifteenth of this month the great feast of expiation and purification was held, fr.
februa
, pl., the Roman festival or purification; akin to
februare
to purify, expiate.]
The second month in the year, said to have been introduced into the Roman calendar by Numa. In common years this month contains twenty-eight days; in the bissextile, or leap year, it has twenty-nine days.

Webster 1828 Edition

February

FEB'RUARY

,
Noun.
[L. Februarius. The Latin word is said to be named from februo, to purify by sacrifice, and thus to signify the month of purification, as the people were, in this month, purified by sacrifices and oblations. The word februo is said to be a Sabine word, connected with ferveo, ferbeo, to boil, as boiling was used in purifications.
This practice bears a resemblance to that of making atonement among the Jews; but the connection between ferveo and February is doubtful.
The name of the second month in the year, introduced into the Roman calendar by Numa. In common years, this month contains 28 days; in the bissextile or leap year, 29 days.

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