What does a.d. and b.c. mean Meaning and Definition
What does a.d. and b.c. mean
Pronunciation
No specific pronunciation for this term
Part of Speech
Phrases or abbreviations
Definition
Abbreviations used to denote time periods in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. AD stands for Anno Domini, which is Latin for “in the year of the Lord”. BC stands for Before Christ, indicating a year that occurred before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Examples
- The ancient civilization flourished during the AD era.
- The ancient city was destroyed before BC.
Synonyms
- Common Era (CE)
- BCE (Before Common Era)
Etymology
AD and BC originated in the 6th century. The term AD was introduced by the monk Dionysius Exiguus, who used it in his Easter table. BC was introduced later, as a means to refer to years before the birth of Christ.
Usage Notes
AD and BC are widely used in historical and cultural contexts to date events and periods. They are also used in academic and scholarly writing to provide a frame of reference for events.
Cultural References
The use of AD and BC can be seen in various cultural references, such as in literature, music, and art. For example, in the novel “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco, the protagonist, William of Baskerville, is a Franciscan friar who uses AD to date the events of the story.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- B.C. and A.D. used together: “He was born B.C. and died A.D.”.
Related Words or Phrases
- Calendar
- Time
- History
Collocations
- AD and BC used together
- Historical events and dates
Frequency of Use
AD and BC are widely used in scholarly and academic contexts, but their frequency of use may vary depending on the context and audience.
Common Misspellings
- A.D. and B.C. (without periods)
- AD and BC (without periods)