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As Christianity spread throughout Europe, so did the pre-Lenten festivities.—Emanuella Grinberg, CNN, 20 Feb. 2023 The traditional doughnut-like pre-Lenten treats are made of yeast dough, deep-fried and filled with fruit fillings.—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 Prine, in an interview with AL.com on Monday, vowed that Mardi Gras will be safe and that a large police presence will be in downtown Mobile that serves as the epicenter for the more than two-week pre-Lenten festivity that includes parades and formal balls.—John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 10 Jan. 2023 And there's no better indulgence than the beloved pre-Lenten paczki treat.—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2022 Now many worry that the pre-Lenten parades and street parties of Mardi Gras, which draws tourists from around the world, will be shut down once again in 2022.—Rebecca Santana and Kevin McGill, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Aug. 2021 Presumably named for Rio’s ebullient pre-Lenten festival, not a cruise ship docked by dysentery, the Carnival replaces Kia’s long-running Sedona minivan.—Tribune News Service, cleveland, 17 Apr. 2021 Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the annual pre-Lenten bash celebrated along much of the Gulf Coast.—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2021 Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the annual pre-Lenten bash celebrated along much of the Gulf Coast — with the biggest celebration in heavily Catholic New Orleans.—Kevin McGill, Rebecca Santana, Chron, 13 Feb. 2021
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of Lenten was
before the 12th century
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