Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAL'ENDS, n. [plur. L. calendæ, from calo, Gr. καλεω, Eng. to call. See Call.]

Among the Romans, the first day of each month. The origin of this name is differently related. Varro supposes it to have originated in the practice of notifying the time of the new moon, by a priest who called out or proclaimed the fact to the people, and the number of the calends, or the day of the nones. Others alledge that the people being convened, the pontifex proclaimed the several feasts or holidays in the month; a custom which was discontinued in the year of Rome 450, when the fasti or calendar was set up in public places, to give notice of the festivals. – Encyc. Adam's Rom. Antiq.