jə: n. 1 (also
astronomical year,
equinoctial year,
natural year,
solar year,
tropical year)
the time occupied by the
earth in
one revolution round the
sun, 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes,
and 46 seconds in
length (cf.
sidereal year). 2 (also
calendar year,
civil year) the
period of 365 days (common year) or 366 days (see
leap year)
from 1 Jan. to 31
Dec., used
for reckoning time in
ordinary affairs. 3 a a period of the
same length as
this starting at
any point (four years ago). b
such a period in terms of a
particular activity etc. occupying
its duration (school year;
tax year). 4 (in pl.)
age or time of
life (young for
his years). 5 (usu. in pl.) colloq. a
very long time (it
took years to
get served). 6 a
group of students entering
college etc. in the same
academic year. øin the year of
Our Lord (foll. by the year) in a specified year
AD. of the year
chosen as
outstanding in a particular year (sportsman of the year). a year and a
day the period specified in
some legal matters to
ensure the completion of a full year. the year
dot see
DOT(1). year
in, year
out continually
over a period of years. year-long
lasting a year or the
whole year. year of
grace the year AD. year-round existing etc.
throughout the year. [OE ge(a)r f. Gmc]
