What do b.c. and a.d. mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈbiːˌsiː ˈænd ˌeɪˈdiː/

Part of Speech

Abbreviation

Definition

B.C. stands for “Before Christ,” referring to the years that come before the traditionally reckoned year of the birth of Jesus. A.D. stands for “Anno Domini,” Latin for “in the year of the Lord,” referring to the years that come after the birth of Jesus.

Examples

The ancient Egyptians built the pyramids around 2500 B.C.
The Renaissance took place in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century A.D.

Synonyms

Before Common Era (BCE) and Common Era (CE)
Ancient Era and Modern Era

Antonyms

These terms do not have direct antonyms, but alternative systems of reckoning time include the Islamic calendar and the Hebrew calendar.

Additional Information

The B.C./A.D. dating system is traditionally attributed to the monk Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century. However, it did not become widely used until the 8th century. The system is based on the estimated birthdate of Jesus, which is now believed by most scholars to be between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C.

Despite its widespread use, the B.C./A.D. system has been criticized for its Christian-centric perspective. In recent years, the use of B.C.E. (Before Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era) has become more common, especially in academic and interfaith contexts.

The use of B.C. and A.D. can be seen in various fields, including history, archaeology, and astronomy. It is also used in everyday life, such as in dating documents and events.

Eymology

The term “B.C.” comes from the Latin phrase “ante Christum natum,” meaning “before the birth of Christ.” The term “A.D.” comes from the Latin phrase “anno Domini,” meaning “in the year of the Lord.”

Usage Notes

When using B.C. and A.D., it is common to place the abbreviation after the year, as in “500 B.C.” or “2023 A.D.” However, it is also acceptable to use the abbreviations before the year, as in “B.C. 500” or “A.D. 2023.”

Cultural References

The B.C./A.D. dating system has been referenced in various forms of media, including films, literature, and music. For example, the film “2001: A Space Odyssey” uses the A.D. dating system to mark the year of the events depicted in the film.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

There are no common idiomatic expressions or phrases that use the term “B.C.” or “A.D.” However, the phrase “before Christ” is sometimes used figuratively to refer to a time long past.

Related Words or Phrases

Before Common Era (BCE)
Common Era (CE)
Anno Domini (A.D.)
Ante Christum natum (B.C.)

Collocations

year B.C.
century A.D.
era B.C.
period A.D.

Frequency of Use

The B.C./A.D. dating system is widely used in many contexts, including academic, historical, and everyday life. However, its use has declined in recent years, especially in academic and interfaith contexts, in favor of the B.C.E./C.E. system.