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August

Of a quality inspiring mingled admiration and reverence; having an aspect of solemn dignity or grandeur; sublime; majestic; having exalted birth, character, state, or authority. Forms august. . August in visage. . To shed that august blood. . So beautiful and so august a spectacle. (Burke) To mingle with a body so august. (Byron)

Synonym: Grand, magnificent, majestic, solemn, awful, noble, stately, dignified, imposing.

Origin: L. Augustus; cf. Augere to increase; in the language of religion, to honor by offerings: cf. F. Auguste. See Augment.

The eighth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.

The old roman name was Sextilis, the sixth month from march, the month in which the primitive romans, as well as jews, began the year. The name was changed to august in honor of Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome, on account of his victories, and his entering on his first consulate in that month.

Origin: L. Augustus. See note below, and august.