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The time of the apparent revolution of the sun trough the
ecliptic; the period occupied by the earth in making its revolution
around the sun, called the astronomical year; also, a period more or
less nearly agreeing with this, adopted by various nations as a measure
of time, and called the civil year; as, the common lunar year of 354
days, still in use among the Mohammedans; the year of 360 days, etc. In
common usage, the year consists of 365 days, and every fourth year
(called bissextile, or leap year) of 366 days, a day being added to
February on that year, on account of the excess above 365 days (see
Bissextile). |