saros
See also: sáros
English
Alternative forms
- Saros
Etymology
From Ancient Greek σάρος (sáros), from Akkadian.
The modern astronomical usage is attributed to Edmond Halley, who based it on the word σάρος, defined in the Suda as "a measure and a number among Chaldeans. For 120 saroi make 2222 years according to the Chaldeans' reckoning, if indeed the saros makes 222 lunar months, which are 18 years and 6 months."
It may come from the Babylonian word "sāru" meaning the number 3600.
Noun
saros (plural saroses or saroi)
- (historical, Babylon) A period of 3600 years.
- (astronomy) A period of 223 synodic months (approximately 18 years 11 days 8 hours), after which the relative positions of the earth, sun and moon recur, used to predict eclipses.
Related terms
- saronic
Anagrams
- Rasos, Rosas, osars, rosas, soars, soras