How Do You Spell LUPERCALIA?

Pronunciation: [lˌuːpəkˈe͡ɪli͡ə] (IPA)

Lupercalia is a Roman festival traditionally celebrated on February 15th. Its name comes from the Latin word "lupus," meaning "wolf," and "cala," meaning "purification." The phonetic transcription for Lupercalia is /luː.pɜːr.ˈkeɪ.liə/. The long "u" sound in the first syllable is followed by a silent "e." The "r" sound in the second syllable is rolled, and the stress falls on the third syllable. The final "ia" is pronounced as "ee-uh," and the "c" in the last syllable has a soft "ch" sound.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Plural
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LUPERCALIA Meaning and Definition

  1. Lupercalia is an ancient Roman festival that was celebrated annually on February 15th in honor of the Roman god Faunus Lupercus, often associated with fertility, shepherds, and the protection of livestock. The festival had both religious and cultural significance, and it was traditionally observed on the Palatine Hill, one of Rome's seven hills.

    During Lupercalia, priests known as Luperci would gather at the sacred cave believed to be the site where the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, were nurtured by a she-wolf. The ceremony involved the sacrifice of goats and a subsequent ritual in which the priests, adorned only with thongs made from goatskin, called "februa," would run around the city, lightly striking women and crops with the thongs.

    This act was believed to purify and protect the city from evil spirits and promote fertility. It was also thought to bestow good fortune upon those struck, particularly women seeking conception or a healthy pregnancy. Many women willingly offered themselves for this ritual, as they believed it would increase their chances of conceiving and ensure a successful childbirth.

    Over time, Lupercalia evolved and incorporated various other customs, including matchmaking and the exchange of love notes. However, as Rome became increasingly Christianized, the festival clashed with Christian beliefs and practices. Consequently, Lupercalia was gradually phased out and eventually replaced by the Christian holiday of St. Valentine's Day, which falls on February 14th, allowing some of the traditions of Lupercalia to survive in a modified form.

  2. • Or feasts of the anc. Romans in honour of their god Pan.
    • The feast itself.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for LUPERCALIA

Etymology of LUPERCALIA

The word "Lupercalia" has its roots in ancient Rome. It is derived from "lupus", which means "wolf" in Latin, and "cerus", meaning "pertaining to" or "associated with". Therefore, "Lupercalia" can be translated as "pertaining to wolves" or "associated with wolves". The festival of Lupercalia itself was a pagan Roman festival held annually on February 15th, involving various rituals and celebrations.

Plural form of LUPERCALIA is LUPERCALIAS

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Correct spelling for Lupercalia
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