January

[ jan-yoo-er-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural Jan·u·ar·ies.

the first month of the year, containing 31 days. : Jan.

January

/ ˈdʒænjʊərɪ /

noun

the first month of the year, consisting of 31 days

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Word History and Origins

Origin of January¹

before 1000; Middle English < Latin, noun use of Jānuārius, equivalent to Jānu ( s ) Janus + -ārius -ary; replacing Middle English Genever, Jeniver < Anglo-French, Old French Genever, Jenever < Latin, as above; replacing Old English Januarius < Latin

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Word History and Origins

Origin of January¹

C14: from Latin Jānuārius, from adj: (month) of Janus ¹

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