Lustrum

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Lustrum \Lus"trum\, n.; pl. E. {Lustrums}, L. {Lustra}. [L. Cf.
     2d & 3d {Luster}.]
     A lustration or purification, especially the purification of
     the whole Roman people, which was made by the censors once in
     five years. Hence: A period of five years.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  lustrum
       n 1: a period of five years
       2: a ceremonial purification of the Roman population every five
          years following the census