Ash Wednesday
English
Etymology
From Middle English Aschewednysday, from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of participants.
Noun
Ash Wednesday (plural Ash Wednesdays)
- (Christianity) The first day of Lent, observed as a strict day of penitence in some traditions of Western Christianity, including Roman Catholicism.
Usage notes
- Ash Wednesday is a movable feast, which takes place 46 days before Easter, providing for 40 days of Lent (excluding the six Sundays).
Translations
a Christian day of penitence
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