Lupercalia
noun
Lu·per·ca·lia
ˌlü-pər-ˈkā-lē-ə 
-ˈkāl-yə
: an ancient Roman festival celebrated February 15 to ensure fertility for the people, fields, and flocks
Examples of Lupercalia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here’s a poem for Valentine’s Day, incorporating the history of the day with its romantic lore:
In ancient Rome, mid-February's day,
Lupercalia's feast, where men would play.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Lupercalia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin, plural, from Lupercus, god of flocks
First Known Use
circa 1580, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Lupercalia
Cite this Entry
“Lupercalia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lupercalia. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on Lupercalia
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Lupercalia
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