b.c

A timeline shows the year 100 b.c. next to an earlier event.

Definition

1. Abbreviation:
   • Before Christ: "b.c." is an abbreviation for "Before Christ," used to denote years or dates that occurred before the traditional birth year of Jesus Christ. It is placed after a year number to indicate that the year is counted backward from the estimated date of Christ's birth.

Usage Examples

• (A historical date occurring before the year 0 of the Christian calendar.)
• (A time period before the common era.)

Advanced Usage

• "b.c." vs. "B.C.": While both forms are common, "b.c." is typically written in lowercase with periods, whereas "B.C." uses capital letters. The meaning is identical. In modern academic writing, "BCE" (Before Common Era) is often preferred for religious neutrality, but "b.c." remains widely understood.
  • The artifact dates to 1500 b.c. (Using lowercase abbreviation.)
  • The same artifact could be described as from 1500 BCE. (Alternative, non-religious notation.)

Variants and Related Words

• B.C. (abbrev): An alternative capitalization of "b.c.," meaning the same thing.
  • The construction of Stonehenge began around 3100 B.C. (Using capital letters.)

Synonyms

• BCE (Before Common Era): A secular equivalent used in modern scholarship.
  • The event occurred in 500 BCE. (Synonymous with 500 b.c.)

Related Idioms

There are no common idioms using "b.c." as a standalone element. It is strictly a chronological marker.