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
The holiday may have been placed in mid-February to commemorate the death of St. Valentine, or as a way for Christian leaders to incorporate Lupercalia, a pagan fertility festival that was celebrated Feb. 15.
—
Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2024
While Mardi Gras is celebrated in areas where Catholicism is widely practiced, some theories say the holiday's roots may tie into pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, according to history.com.
—Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 13 Feb. 2024
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2024
While Mardi Gras is celebrated in areas where Catholicism is widely practiced, some theories say the holiday's roots may tie into pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, like Saturnalia and Lupercalia, according to history.com.
—Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 13 Feb. 2024
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
Dictionary Entries Near Lupercalia
Cite this Entry
“Lupercalia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lupercalia. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share