Dictionary entry

January

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Jan″u‐a‐ry (?), n. [L. Januarius, fr. Janus an old Latin deity, the god of the sun and the year, to whom the month of January was sacred; cf. janua a door, Skr. to go.] The first month of the year, containing thirty-one days.

☞ Before the adoption of New Style, the commencement of the year was usually reckoned from March 25.