Jan"u*a*ry (?), n. [L. Januarius, fr. Janus an old Latin deity, the god of the sun and the year, to whom the month of January was sacred; cf. janua a door, Skr. ya to go.]
The first month of the year, containing thirty-one days.
⇒ Before the adoption of New Style, the commencement of the year was usually reckoned from March 25.
© Webster 1913.