Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In the Christian era; used before dates after the supposed year Christ was born: "Anno Domini" is a Latin phrase meaning "in the year of the Lord," used to label or number years in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is placed before a year number to indicate that the year is counted from the traditional date of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Usage

• Adverb:
  • The abbreviation A.D. is commonly used in place of the full Latin phrase.
  • It is typically placed before the numerical year (e.g., A.D. 1066), although in contemporary usage, it is sometimes placed after (e.g., 1066 A.D.).
  • It is used to specify dates in the era following the traditional date of Christ's birth, contrasting with B.C. (Before Christ).

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The city of Rome was sacked in A.D. 410.
  • The Great Fire of London occurred in A.D. 1666.
  • The manuscript is dated anno Domini 1453.

Advanced Usage

• Historical and Formal Contexts: The full phrase "Anno Domini" is often used in formal, academic, or historical writing, while "A.D." is standard in general use.
• Modern Alternatives: In secular and academic contexts, the abbreviations C.E. (Common Era) and B.C.E. (Before Common Era) are increasingly used as equivalents to A.D. and B.C., respectively.
  • The battle took place in 1066 C.E. (equivalent to A.D. 1066).

Variants and Related Words

• A.D.: The standard abbreviation for "Anno Domini."
• B.C.: Abbreviation for "Before Christ," used for years before the traditional date of Jesus's birth.
• C.E.: Abbreviation for "Common Era," a secular alternative to A.D.
• B.C.E.: Abbreviation for "Before Common Era," a secular alternative to B.C.

Synonyms

• In the year of our Lord: A direct English translation of the Latin phrase.
• C.E. (Common Era): A secular synonym denoting the same chronological period.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• (figurative, informal) Anno Domini: Used humorously or euphemistically to refer to old age or the effects of aging.
  • He's not as fast as he used to be; anno Domini is catching up with him.

Adverb

1. in the Christian era; used before dates after the supposed year Christ was born
   • in AD 200