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Glite Dictionary
B.C.

B.C.

3.4
A mark after a year that shows the year is before the birth of Jesus
  • adverb
translation icon : a.C.
  • The pyramids were built around 2500 B.C.

Examples

  • This pottery dates back to 2000 B.C..

  • This pottery dates back to 2000 B.C..

  • Aristotle was born in 384 B.C. in ancient Greece.

  • The city was founded in 753 B.C. according to legend.

  • Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.

  • Aristotle was born in 384 B.C. in ancient Greece.

  • The city was founded in 753 B.C. according to legend.

Synonyms

before Christ
vsB.C.
2 4.8

Placed after a year number to show the year is before the birth of Jesus Christ

uses an abbreviated punctuated form instead of the full phrase
BCE
vsB.C.
1 4.4

A label that comes after a year number to show the year is before the Common Era

refers to the same dates but uses traditional Christian reference
BC
vsB.C.
2.9

Placed after a year to show the year is before the birth of Christ

uses periods after each letter rather than the unpunctuated form
B.C.E.
vsB.C.
5.2

A short form that shows years before the Common Era

is the punctuated traditional form tied to Christian dating

Surface Forms

B.C. positive

Etymology

B.C. is the short form of the words Before Christ, which mean 'before the birth of Christ'. So a date like 2000 B.C. shows the year is before that traditional date, and today some people also use BCE to mean 'Before Common Era'.