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February

The second month in the year, said to have been introduced into the roman calendar by Numa. In common years this month contains twenty-eight days; in the bissextile, or leap year, it has twenty-nine days.

Origin: L. Februarius, orig, the month of expiation, because on the fifteenth of this month the great feast of expiation and purification was held, fr. Februa, pl, the roman festival or purification; akin to februare to purify, expiate.