1. The first day of the month in the ancient Roman calendar.
Usage: Usually used in plural form; historical/archaic
2. A system of reckoning time by counting backward from the calends, ides, or nones in the Roman calendar.
Usage: archaic; used in historical contexts

Examples

• The Romans paid their debts on the calends of each month.
• In ancient Rome, the calends marked the beginning of the month.
• Historical documents often reference dates by the calends, ides, and nones.
• The calends of January corresponded to what we now call January 1st.
• Roman citizens would gather at the temple on the calends for official business.