dies nefastus

noun

dies ne·​fas·​tus
-āsneˈfästəs
plural dies nefasti
-ˌstē
: a day on which secular activities were forbidden in ancient Rome
specifically : a day on which the courts were closed and it was illegal (as for the praetors) to transact public judicial affairs

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, noncourt day

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Cite this Entry

“Dies nefastus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dies%20nefastus. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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