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Glite Dictionary
Quadragesima

Quadragesima

9.9
The first Sunday of Lent in the Christian church calendar
  • noun
  • /ˌkwɒdrəˈdʒɛsɪmə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Cuadragésima
  • Many traditional hymns are sung during Quadragesima to mark the beginning of Lent.

Examples

  • Many Christians observe Quadragesima with fasting.

  • This year, Quadragesima falls on March 6.

  • In medieval times, Quadragesima was observed with special fasting and prayer.

  • The church was especially decorated for the service on Quadragesima.

  • In medieval times, Quadragesima marked the beginning of the Lenten season, which included fasting and prayer.

  • Many traditional hymns are sung during Quadragesima, celebrating its importance in the Christian liturgical calendar.

  • On Quadragesima, churches are often filled with worshippers as they gather to reflect on the start of Lent.

Synonyms

Quadrigesima Sunday
vsQuadragesima
  • Formal
9.9

A Sunday that starts Lent in the Christian church

has the same meaning but is an alternate phrasing used for the same day

Surface Forms

Quadragesima singular
Quadragesimas plural

Etymology

The word Quadragesima comes from the Latin quadrāgintā, which means 'forty'. It was used for the first Sunday in Lent because Lent is a time of about forty days of fasting and prayer, so Quadragesima marks the start of that forty-day period.