lustrum

[ luhs-truhm ]

noun

, plural lus·trums, lus·tra [luhs, -tr, uh].

1. a period of five years.
2. Roman History. a lustration or ceremonial purification of the people, performed every five years, after the taking of the census.

lustrum

/ ˈlʌstrəm /

noun

1. a period of five years

Word History and Origins

Origin of lustrum¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin lūstrum; luster ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lustrum¹

C16: from Latin: ceremony of purification, from lustrāre to brighten, purify

Example Sentences

One of the British novels with the highest sales hopes before Christmas is Lustrum by Robert Harris.

From The Daily Beast

This review was called the closing of the lustrum, because it was accompanied with sacrifices and purifications named lustrations.

From Project Gutenberg

The term lustrum was applied to the interval of five years between two censuses.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I sicken at the idea of having Strauss in my head and on my hands for a lustrum, instead of saying good-bye to him in a year.

From Project Gutenberg

A meditative man in his sixth lustrum can be very happy with pruning-hook and shears among his young trees.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, you will have a million, not in a decade, but in a lustrum.

From Project Gutenberg