March

/mahrch/, n.

the third month of the year, containing 31 days.

Abbr.: Mar.

[bef. 1050; ME March(e) < AF Marche; r. OE Martius < L, short for Martius mensis month of Mars (Marti-, s. of Mars + -us adj. suffix)]

/mahrch/ for 1-3; /mahrddkh/ for 4, n.

1. Francis Andrew, 1825-1911, U.S. philologist and lexicographer.

2. Fredric (Frederick McIntyre Bickel), 1897-1975, U.S. actor.

3. Peyton Conway /payt"n kon"way/, 1864-1955, U.S. army officer (son of Francis Andrew March).

4. German name of the Morava.

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I

Musical form having an even metre with strongly accented beats, originally intended to facilitate military marching.

Development of the European march may have been stimulated by the Ottoman invasions of the 14th–16th centuries. Marches were not notated until the late 16th century; until then, time was generally kept by percussion alone, often with improvised fife embellishment. With the extensive development of brass instruments, especially in the 19th century, marches became widely popular and were often elaborately orchestrated. Composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Gustav Mahler wrote marches, often incorporating them into their operas, sonatas, or symphonies. The later popularity of John Philip Sousa's band marches was unmatched.

II

(as used in expressions)

Bataan Death March

Hoe Robert and Hoe Richard March

Long March

March Laws

March Frederic

Rome March on

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▪ month

 third month of the Gregorian calendar. It was named after Mars, the Roman god of war. Originally, March was the first month of the Roman calendar.

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