December
December
Pronunciation
/dɪˈsɛmbər/.
De- /dɪ/:
/d/: Voiced alveolar plosive
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
-cem- /sɛm/:
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative
/ɛ/: Open-mid front unrounded vowel (as in "dress")
/m/: Voiced bilabial nasal
-ber /bər/:
/b/: Voiced bilabial plosive
/ər/: R-colored vowel (schwa + r-sound, as in "bird" in non-rhotic accents or the ending of "butter" in rhotic accents)
Word Form Variations
"December" is a proper noun referring to a specific month. As such, it does not have word form variations in terms of singular, plural, or other grammatical inflections typically associated with common nouns, verbs, or adjectives. It functions almost exclusively as a noun and remains "December" regardless of context.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition:
The twelfth and final month of the Gregorian calendar, comprising 31 days, and marking the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. It is widely associated with holiday celebrations such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and often with the end of a calendar year.
Synonyms: (Not applicable in the traditional sense for a proper noun like a month name.)
Closest concepts: The twelfth month, the end of the year, Christmastime (if referring to the holiday period within December).
Antonyms: (Not applicable in the traditional sense for a proper noun like a month name.)
Closest concepts: January (as the first month), Spring, Summer (as different seasons).
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a cold December day when the letter arrived, sealing their fate." (From The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey)
"In December of 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor plunged the United States into World War II." (From A History of the American People by James MacGregor Burns)
Newspapers:
"The city's unemployment rate dropped significantly in December, reaching its lowest point in two years." (The New York Times)
"Forecasters predict a colder than usual December for much of the Midwest." (Chicago Tribune)
Online Publications:
"Travel experts anticipate a surge in international tourism during December as holiday festivities draw visitors." (Lonely Planet)
"Our comprehensive guide to gift-giving features top picks for December birthdays and holiday celebrations." (BuzzFeed)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music: "Last December, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it away." (Lyrics from "Last Christmas" by Wham!)
Film: The movie "Die Hard" is famously set on Christmas Eve in December. (Die Hard, 1988)
Television Series: "The final season of the popular drama is set to premiere in December." (Netflix announcement)
Video Games: Many games feature special in-game events or content that is only available during the month of December, often tied to winter or holiday themes. (General observation across various gaming platforms)
General Public Discourse:
"Are you going away for the holidays in December?" (Common conversational question)
"I always look forward to December because of all the festive lights and decorations." (Casual statement)
"We need to get our tax returns ready by the end of December." (Common administrative reminder)
10 Quotes Using December
"Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December." (J.M. Barrie)
"I heard a bird sing in the dark of December. A magical thing. And sweet to remember." (Oliver Herford)
"Will you love me in December as you do in May?" (Jack Kerouac)
"How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn." (Dr. Seuss)
"If we make it through December, everything's gonna be alright I know; it's the coldest time of winter and I shiver when I see the falling snow." (Merle Haggard)
"I go back to December all the time." (Taylor Swift, "Back To December" lyrics)
"In a drear-nighted December, Too happy, happy brook, Thy bubblings ne'er remember Apollo's summer look." (John Keats)
"December's wintery breath is already clouding the pond, frosting the pane, obscuring summer's memory." (John Geddes)
"December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come." (Fennel Hudson)
Etymology
The word "December" comes from Latin, and its story is a little bit of a calendar puzzle!
Original Meaning: The name "December" comes from the Latin word "decem," which means "ten."
First Known Use and What It Meant: In the very old Roman calendar, the year actually started in March. Because of this, what we now call December was originally the tenth month of their year. So, when the Romans first used the name "December," it literally meant "the tenth month."
Over time, the Roman calendar changed. They added January and February to the beginning of the year. This shifted all the months, but the names, including December, stuck. Even though it became the twelfth month, it kept its original name that meant "tenth."
Phrases + Idioms Containing December
Due to "December" being a proper noun (a specific month), it doesn't commonly appear in a wide variety of established idioms or phrases in the same way common nouns do. However, here's a list that includes some less common uses and original phrases reflecting its associations:
To be in the December of one's life: To be in the later years of one's life, implying old age or the final stages of a journey.
A December bride/wedding: A wedding or marriage that takes place in December, often associated with winter themes and holiday cheer.
As cold as December: Extremely cold, referring to the typical winter weather in many parts of the world during this month.
To go back to December: To revisit or long for a past time, often associated with nostalgia or regret (popularized by Taylor Swift's song).
December mood/vibes: A feeling or atmosphere associated with the holiday season, coziness, winter, or year-end reflection.
The spirit of December: Refers to the general feeling of goodwill, festivity, and generosity often associated with the holiday season in December.
To make it through December: To endure or survive a difficult or challenging period, often implying financial hardship or emotional struggle during the expensive and sometimes isolating holiday season.
A long December: A period of time that feels particularly drawn out, challenging, or bleak, much like a dark winter month.
December chills: The feeling of cold weather or a shiver brought on by the cold, often specific to the winter onset in December.
Counting down to December: Anticipating or looking forward to the arrival of December, often due to holidays or year-end celebrations.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of December from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
