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Nones
In the Roman calendar, the ninth day, by inclusive reckoning, before the Ides of each month. Equivalent to the seventh day of the month for the months of March, May, July, and October, and the fifth of the month for all other months. |
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Noon
The instant at which the Sun crosses the observer's meridian. |
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Noumenia
The New Moon, in Greek. |
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Nundina
The Roman market day, distinguished in the Roman method of inclusive reckoning as the ninth day, which is the eighth day in modern reckoning. |
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Octave
From the Latin Octava, formerly used only in the plural, and meaning eighth day. Early calendric reckoning was inclusive of the starting day itself, so the eighth day after a date fell on the same day of the week as the day itself. In Christian liturgical usage, the octave is the eighth day after a feast, reckoning inclusively. The term was later applied to the entire period of eight days (i.e., the week), during which observance of certain major festivals continued. Note in this connection that the original Roman calendar observed an eight-day week. |
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In Roman Catholic usage, the octave can be part of the official process of adding a day of observance to the ecclesiastical calendar. After a day has been dedicated and its observance ordered, the octave may be added, which results in the addition of official observations over the following week. |
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Parapegma
A kind of calendar used in ancient Greece, in which days were marked by placing pegs into holes. |
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Paschal
Adjective meaning "pertaining to Easter." From the Hebrew "Pascha," or Passover, which was the original Christian date of celebration. |
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Perigee
The point in an orbit around the Earth that is closest to the earth. Opposite of apogee. |
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Perihelion
The point in an orbit around the Sun that is closest to the Sun. Opposite of aphelion. |
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Phase, lunar
A measure of the relative illumination of the Moon equal to the ratio of the area of the apparent disk of the Moon illuminated to the entire area. At New Moon, the dark side of the Moon faces Earth and phase is 0.0. At Full Moon, the phase is 1.0. At First Quarter and Last Quarter, the phase is 0.5 . |
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Post meridiem
Latin, meaning after midday. Corrupted to post meridian, it means after noon, and is abbreviated p.m. Opposite of a.m. |
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