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Janus

[ jey-nuhs ]

noun

  1. an ancient Roman god of doorways, of beginnings, and of the rising and setting of the sun, usually represented as having one head with two bearded faces back to back, looking in opposite directions.
  2. Astronomy. a moon of the planet Saturn, located just outside the rings.


Janus

1

/ ˈdʒeɪnəs /

noun

  1. the Roman god of doorways, passages, and bridges. In art he is depicted with two heads facing opposite ways


Janus

2

/ ˈdʒeɪnəs /

noun

  1. a small inner satellite of Saturn

Janus

  1. The Roman god of doors and gateways and hence of beginnings.


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Notes

The month of January is named after Janus.
Janus was pictured with two faces looking in opposite directions, one young and one old. Consequently, a hypocritical person is often called “Janus-faced.”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Janus1

< Latin, special use of jānus doorway, archway, arcade

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Janus1

C16: from Latin, from jānus archway

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JanuaryJanus cloth