Lent - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

Shortened form of Lenten, from Old English lencten, from Proto-West Germanic *langatīn (“spring”), as in a season into which days lengthen as it progresses. Related to German Lenz and Dutch lente (“springtime”).

Lent (plural Lents)

  1. (Christianity) A period of the ecclesiastical year preceding Easter, traditionally involving temporary abstention from certain foods and pleasures.
    Hezekiah gave up vaping for Lent.
    1. (Eastern Christianity) The 40 days preceding Lazarus Saturday, the Saturday preceding Holy Week.
    2. (Roman Catholicism) The 46 days preceding Easter, reckoned as 40 days by excluding Sundays.
  2. (UK, education) Ellipsis of Lent term.
  3. (Buddhism, Myanmar) vassa, period of the Buddhist lent during the rainy season

Christian period of penitence before Easter

Two main origins:

Lent (plural Lents)

  1. A surname.

First attested as in lente in 1196. Etymology uncertain. Potentially derived from Proto-Germanic *linditja- (“linden grove”), from *lindu, or dialectal lent (“quay where peat is stacked for transport”). Compare Lenthe and Linde.

Lent n

  1. A village and former municipality of Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands
    Synonym: Kikkergat (Carnival nickname)