Quinquagesima

American  

[kwing-kwuh-jes-uh-muh, kwin-] / ˌkwɪŋ kwəˈdʒɛs ə mə, ˌkwɪn- /

noun

1. the Sunday before Lent; Shrove Sunday.

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Quinquagesima British  

/ ˌkwɪŋkwəˈdʒɛsɪmə /

noun

1. Also called: Quinquagesima Sunday.  the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent

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Usage

What is Quinquagesima? Quinquagesima is another name for Shrove Sunday, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and the first of the three days of Shrovetide. Shrovetide is the three-day period before the beginning of Lent, which is the season of fasting and penitence that precedes Easter. Shrovetide starts on Quinquagesima and is followed by Shrove Monday and Shrove Tuesday. Quinquagesima is sometimes called Quinquagesima Sunday.

Other Word Forms

• Quinquagesimal adjective

Etymology

Origin of Quinquagesima

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin, short for Latin quīnquāgēsima diēs fiftieth day

Example Sentences

Quinquagesima.—The name given to the Sunday next before Lent, because it is the fiftieth day before Easter; Quinquagesima meaning fiftieth.

From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by Miller, William James

From the feast of St. Michael to Quinquagesima the cheese is to be of medium quality.

From Alps and Sanctuaries of Piedmont and the Canton Ticino by Butler, Samuel

The Sunday called Quinquagesima is read in the church the history of the holy patriarch Abraham which was the son of Terah.

From Bible Stories and Religious Classics by Wells, Philip P.

In most Roman Catholic countries it begins with Quinquagesima Sunday, the Sunday before Lent.

From Our Calendar by Packer, George Nichols

Lady Cheverel recognized the handwriting as Sarti's in spite of its tremulousness, and, going down to her carriage, ordered the Milanese coachman to drive to Strada Quinquagesima, Numero 10.

From Scenes of Clerical Life by Eliot, George