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sesquicentennial

sesquicentennial

1 9.9
A 150th anniversary or celebration of an event
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛs.kwɪ.sɛnˈtɛn.i.əl/
  • Formal
: sesquicentenario
  • Many artists are contributing to the sesquicentennial exhibit at the art museum.
  • Sesquicentennial Commission
  • Sesquicentennial funds

Examples

  • Funding from the Illinois Sesquicentennial Commission enabled two storefronts to be joined into a single space, their interiors painstakingly renovated, cleaned, and prepared, and the whole building painted and decorated inside and out.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The city will host a grand parade to celebrate the sesquicentennial of its founding.

  • Funds from the Sesquicentennial ran out at the end of 1968, and fundraising efforts occupied much of the next six months.

    Academic text (2011)
  • So if you visit Antietam this sesquicentennial month, get out there and walk the trails.

    Blog text (11)
  • In 2015, the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War will reach Appomattox Court House, where our nation reunited.

    Blog text (32)
  • The role of the Maryland Historical Society in the celebration of Baltimore's sesquicentennial in 1880 is a case in point.

    Academic text (1994)
  • For the last couple of years, we have been commemorating the sesquicentennial of the bloodiest conflict ever to take place on our shores.

    Blog text (9)
  • He had funds available and was eager to enhance the representation of Black Illinoisans in the Sesquicentennial festivities.

    Academic text (2011)
  • On its positive side, the Baltimore Sesquicentennial of 1880 signaled the onset of a second stage in the organization of ethnic consciousness.

    Academic text (1994)
  • We may expect that interest to continue as we approach the year 2009, the sesquicentennial of the deaths of both Humboldt and the German geographer Carl Ritter.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

anniversary
vssesquicentennial
724 1.3

A date every year when people remember or celebrate an important event

is a celebration only for the one hundred fiftieth year
jubilee
vssesquicentennial
26 4.6

A special celebration for an important anniversary like 25 or 50 years

is the specific celebration reserved for the one hundred fiftieth year

Surface Forms

Morphology

sesquicentennial = centennial (semi-transparent) = sesqui + centennial

Formed from 'sesqui-' (one and a half) + 'centennial' (100th anniversary); the prefix 'sesqui-' is uncommon, so the meaning is only partly obvious to average learners.

Etymology

The word sesquicentennial comes from Latin parts sesqui- meaning 'one and a half' and centennial meaning '100 years', so it means a '150th' anniversary.