In Old English: a time or date marking the beginning of a movable feast (or the point in the lunar cycle which determines it) (now historical). In…

The beginning of the year; the season of spring. Also: the beginning of a particular season or era. Also figurative. Frequently in the springing o…

Of time: The earliest part of a period; the beginning.

The early part of a day, year, person's life, etc. Now rare.

transferred. With reference to time: The first period; the beginning. poetic.

The beginning or end of a period of time. Chiefly plural.

The beginning of a ‘new era’ or distinctive period in the history of humankind, a country, an individual, a science, etc. Phrase, to make an epoch.

The time or period of transition from one specified period of time to the next; usually followed by an of-phrase indicating the period.

The earliest possible date at which something could have occurred or might occur; = terminus a quo, n. 2. Frequently contrasted with terminus ante…

The latest possible date at which something could have occurred or might occur; = terminus ad quem, n. 2. Frequently contrasted with terminus post…