annunciation

[In Fr. an non cia tion; Sp. an uncia cion; Ital. annunziazione. From Lat. annuntiatio, annunciatio.] I. Gen.: Announcement; promulgation of important tidings. "The annunciation of the Gospel." - Hammond's Sermons, p. 573. II. Specially : 1. The announcement by the angel to the Virgin that she was about to become the mother of the Divine Saviour. "Upon the day of the annunciation, or Lady-day. meditate on the mcarnation of our ble ed Saviourt and so upon all the festivals of the year."-Bp. Taylor. "The most prevalent of these was the year commencing on the the festival of the Annunciation ion of the Virgin, or Lady-day, March 25, which was generally used in England from the 15th century till the albolition of the old style in 1752"-Lewis: Astron. of the Ancients, chap. 1., § 6. 2. An appellation given by the Jews to a portion of the Pa over ceremonies. Annunciation-day, s. The 25th of March, the day on which the Churches of England, Rome, ., celebrate the angel's annunciation of the Saviour's approaching birth to the Virgin Mary. It is called also Lady-day.