Căl'ends, n. pl.

n. pl. [Lat. calendæ, from calare, to call, proclaim; Gr. καλεῖν, Eng. to call, q. v.] The first day of each month among the Romans.

The origin of this name is differently related. Varro supposes it to have originated in the practice of notifying the time of the new moon, by a priest, who called out or proclaimed the fact to the people, and the number of the calends, or the day of the nones. Others allege that, the people being convened, the pontifex proclaimed the several feasts or holy days in the month,—a custom which was discontinued in the year of Rome 450, when the fasti (calendar) were set up in public places, to give notice of the festivals.