† biˈssext Obs.
In 4–6 bisext(e, 6 (bisex), bysext.
[ad. L. bi(s)sextus (dies), f. bis twice + sextus sixth, the name given to the intercalary day inserted by the Julian calendar every fourth year after the sixth day before the calends of March, or 24th of February.]
prop. The intercalary day in leap-year; but also taken as = bissextile.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. ix. iii. (1495) 348 The Bisexte is gaderynge of eyghtene houres whyche comyth in thre yeres wyth syxe houres of the fourth yere to make a ful daye..and the yere Bisextilis hath that name. 1530 Elyot Gov. i. xxv. (1883) 265 Bisext, called the lepe yere. 1618 Sheph. Kal. (1656) ii, In four years, there is one Bysext. |