An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

The time interval between two successive passages of the Sun, when the true longitude of the Sun is considered. In other words, the interval during which the Sun's true longitude increases by 360 degrees. Its mean length for the epoch J2000.0 is 365.24236460 real solar days (approximately 365.2424 days). The vernal-equinox year, on which the Iranian calender is based, should not be confused with → tropical year. See also: A concise review of the Iranian calendar. → Iranian calendar

→ vernal; → equinox; → year.

In general, the time required for the Earth to complete one → revolution (approximately 3.154 × 10⁷ seconds). Similarly, the time in which a planet completes its orbit around the Sun. In astronomy a distinction is made between various kinds of years, depending on the reference point used to measure the period of revolution: → anomalistic year; → Besselian year; → calendar year; → eclipse year; → embolismic year; → Galactic year; → Julian year; → leap year; → lunar year; → Platonic year; → sidereal year; → solar year; → Sothic year; → tropical year; → vernal-equinox year.

M.E. yeer; O.E. gēar (cf. O.S., O.H.G. jar, O.N. ar, Goth. jer, Du. jaar, Ger. Jahr); cf. O.Pers. dušiyāra- "evil year, bad harvest, famine" (from duš- "bad," → dys-, + yār- "year"); Av. yārə- "year;" Skt. paryārini- (*pari-yāram "a year long") "cow which has its first calf after a year;" Gk. hora "season, time of a day, year;" L. hornus "of this year;" → hour.

Sâl "year;" Mid.Pers. sâl "year;" Sogd. sarδ "year;" O.Pers. θrad- "year;" Av. sarəd- "year;" cf. Skt. śarád- "autumn;" maybe related to Lith. šilti "to become warm;" L. calor "heat," calere "to become warm;" PIE base *kele- "warm."