An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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A calendar composed by Fabre d'Eglantine and others during the French Revolution which divided the year into 12 months of 30 days each, with five odd days called → Sansculottides. The year started at → autumnal equinox and the months were: Vendémiaire (Vintage), Brumaire (Fog), Frimaire (Frost), Nivôse (Snow), Pluviôse (Rain), Ventôse (Wind), Germinal (Buds), Floréal (Flowers), Prairial (Meadows), Messidor (Harvest), Termidor (Heat), Fructidor (Fruits). The week consisted of 10 days, and was called a Décade; each 10th day of Décade (called Décadi) was a day of rest. The calendar was used by the French government for about 12 years, from late 1793 to 1805, when it was suppressed by Napoleon.

M.E. Frensh, French, O.E. Frencisc "of the Franks," from Frank; republican, from republic, from Fr. république, from L. respublica, from res publica "public interest, the state," from res "affair, matter, thing" + publica, feminine of publicus "public;" → calendar.