indiction

[ in-dik-shuhn ]

/ ɪnˈdɪk ʃən /

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noun

a proclamation made every 15 years in the later Roman Empire, fixing the valuation of property to be used as a basis for taxation.

a tax based on such valuation.

Also called cycle of indiction. the recurring fiscal period of 15 years in the Roman Empire, long used for dating ordinary events.Compare lustrum.

a specified year in this period.

the number indicating it.

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Origin of indiction

1350–1400; Middle English indiccio(u)n<Latin indictiōn- (stem of indictiō) announcement, equivalent to indict(us) past participle of indīcere to announce, proclaim + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM indiction

in·dic·tion·al, adjective

Words nearby indiction

indicium, indicolite, indict, indictable, indicted, indiction, indictment, indie, Indienne, Indies, indifference

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use indiction in a sentence

Before its adoption the usual practice in Latin countries was to distinguish the years by their number in the cycle of Indiction.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3|Various
By extending it backwards, it will be found that the first of the era was the fourth of the cycle of indiction.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4|Various
We entrust to you therefore for this Indiction the dignity of the Comitiva Romana, with all its rights and just emoluments.
The Letters of Cassiodorus|Cassiodorus (AKA Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator)
Was he designated when the great Imperial officers were appointed at the beginning of the Indiction?
The Letters of Cassiodorus|Cassiodorus (AKA Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator)

Cycles used in chronology are three: The solar cycle, the lunar cycle, and the cycle of indiction.
Our Calendar|George Nichols Packer

British Dictionary definitions for indiction

indiction

/ (ɪnˈdɪkʃən) /

noun (in the Roman Empire and later in various medieval kingdoms)

a recurring fiscal period of 15 years, often used as a unit for dating events

a particular year in this period or the number assigned it

(from the reign of Constantine the Great)

a valuation of property made every 15 years as a basis for taxation
the tax based on this valuation

Derived forms of indiction

indictional, adjective

Word Origin for indiction

C14: from Latin indictiō declaration, announcement of a tax; see indite

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012