An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

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.

Etymology (EN): 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.

Etymology (PE): 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.”