Definition

Noun: * Lent: A solemn period of 40 weekdays observed in the Christian liturgical calendar, beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). It is traditionally a time for fasting, prayer, and penitence in preparation for Easter.

Usage

• Lententide is a formal and somewhat archaic term for the season of Lent. It is used in religious contexts, historical writing, and liturgical texts.
• It functions as a proper noun and is often capitalized.

Examples

• The faithful observed a strict fast throughout Lententide.
• The liturgical readings during Lententide focus on themes of repentance and renewal.
• Many churches hold special services each week of Lententide.

Advanced Usage

• The term explicitly references the "tide" or season, emphasizing its nature as a defined period in the church year, similar to "Christmastide."

Variants and Related Words

• Lent (n): The common and contemporary term for this period.
• Lenten (adj): An adjective describing things pertaining to Lent (e.g., Lenten practices, a Lenten sermon).

Synonyms

• Lent
• The Lenten season
• Quadragesima (an older Latin-derived term meaning "fortieth")

Related Phrases

• Ash Wednesday: The first day of Lententide.
• Holy Week: The final week of Lententide, culminating in Easter.
• To observe Lent/Lententide: To follow the traditions of the season.

Noun

1. a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday