Definition
the eighth month of the year, between July and September
View the full definition in the Macmillan Dictionary.
Origin and usage
The month of August gets its name from the Roman Emperor Augustus, who was given that title when he took sole control of the empire. It has been in use since the time of Old English.
Examples
Just as July was named after his adopted father Julius Caesar, August was named after the man formerly known as Gaius Octavius, Octavius Caesar or Octavian, after he assumed supreme power in Rome. It was previously called ‘sextilis’ or sixth month. Octavian was awarded the titles of ‘Princeps’ (which means ‘first’, he never actually called himself ‘Emperor’) and ‘Augustus’ by the Roman Senate in 27 BC. The Latin adjective ‘augustus’ means worthy of respect and gave us our adjective ‘august‘.
Quotations
“August brings the sheaves of corn,
Then the Harvest home is borne.”
(Sara Coleridge, The Months)
Related words
summer, harvest, season, calendar
