Ash - Wednesday

(-wenz'dỹ.) (Eccl.) The first day in Lent; so called from the ancient practice of fasting in sackcloth and ashes. the globe, comprises all the countries lying to the E. of Europe and N. Africa, and extends, with its islands, between Lat. 10° S. and 78° N., and Lon. 26° to 190° E. (170° W.) It is separated from Europe on the W.by theUral Mountains, and by the Caspian, Black, and Mediterranean seas; from Africa, on the S.W.by the Red [s. 51]