YEAR, noun [G.]

1. The space or period of time in which the sun moves through the twelve signs of the ecliptic, or whole circle, and returns to the same point. This is the solar year and the year in the strict and proper sense of the word. It is called also the tropical year This period comprehends what are called the twelve calendar months, or 365 days, 5 hours, and 49 minutes, within a small fraction. But in popular usage, the year consists of 365 days, and every fourth year of 366; a day being added to February, on account of the 5 hours and 49 minutes.

2. The time in which any planet completes a revolution; as the year of Jupiter or of Saturn.

3. The time in which the fixed states make a revolution, is called the great year

4. Years, in the plural, is sometimes equivalent to age or old age; as a man in years.

In popular language, year is often used for years. The horse is ten year old.

Sidereal year the time in which the sun, departing from any fixed star, returns to the same. This is 365 day, 6 hours, 6 minutes, and 11, 5 seconds.

Anomalistical year the time that elapses from the suns leaving its apogee, till it returns to it, which is 365 days, 6 hours, 14 minutes.

Civil year the year which nay nation has contrived for the computation of time.

Bissextile or leap year the year consisting of 366 days.

Lunar year consists of 12 lunar months.

Lunar astronomical year consists of 12 lunar synodical months, or 354 days, 8 hours, 48 minutes, 36 seconds.

Common lunar year consists of 12 lunar civil months, or 354 days.

Embolismic or intercalary year consists of 13 lunar civil months, and contains 384 days.

Julian year established by Julius Caesar, consists of 365 days, 6 hours.

Gregorian year is the Julian year corrected and is the year now generally used in Europe. From the difference between this and the Julian year arises the distinction of Old and New Style.

Sabbatic year among the Israelites, was every seventh year when their land was suffered to lid untilled.

The civil or legal year in England, formerly commenced on the 25th day of March. This practice continued till after the settlement of America, and the first settlers of New England observed it for many years.