Gregorianum

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. A term relating to the Gregorian calendar, which is the solar calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 to reform the Julian calendar ; pertaining to anything associated with Gregorian chant, the central tradition of Western plainchant that developed mainly in the medieval church ; referencing educational institutions or publications named in honor of Pope Gregory or associated with Gregorian traditions
2. Denoting the system of dating and timekeeping standardized by the Gregorian calendar reform of the 16th century ; describing the style of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song historically linked to Pope Gregory I ; used to identify entities such as colleges or scholarly works bearing the Gregorian name or heritage
3. Connected to the internationally used civil calendar adjusted for accuracy by Gregorian reform ; connected with the musical chant tradition of the Roman Catholic Church attributed to Pope Gregory I ; indicating affiliation with academic or religious bodies inspired by Gregorian legacy or title

Etymology: The name behind this word, Gregorius, comes from the Greek "Grēgorios," which meant "watchful" or "awake," from "egrēgoros," the past tense of "egeirein," to wake. The Latin "Gregorianus" was an adjective meaning "of Gregory," and the neuter "gregorianum" turned it into a noun for something bearing that name. The calendar and the chant take their names from two different popes. Gregory XIII issued the bull "Inter gravissimas" in February 1582, reforming the Julian calendar, and the new system spread across Europe over the following centuries. Gregorian chant is named after Gregory I, pope from 590 to 604, though later scholars have questioned how much of the repertoire he actually shaped. In the Roman Catholic world, the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome is known by the Latin "Gregorianum." It began in 1551 as the Jesuit Collegium Romanum and was renamed in honour of Gregory XIII, who supported it.