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Show Derivation of Word "Almanac." The etymology of the word has been more disputed than that of any other In the French language, and from the opinions expressed upon the subject, Verstegan's has been accepted as probable, though there cannot be the slightest doubt that the Saxons, from whom he obtains his derivation, took their term from the Arabic. The Saxons, Sax-ons, he says, "used to engrave upon ' certain squared sticks, about a foot In length, or shorter or longer as they pleased, the courses of the moones for the whole yeere, whereby they could alwaies certainly tell when the new moones, full moones, and changes should happen, as also their festlvall daies. and such a carved stick they called an al-mon-aght; that is to say, al-mon-hed to wit, the regard or observation ob-servation of all the moones, and hence is derived the name of almanac." One of these squared sticks, of uncertain date, Is still preserved In St. John's college, Cambridge. |