a solemn time of fasting in the Christian church, observed as a time of humiliation before Easter, the great festival of our Saviour's resurrection.

Those of the Romish church, and some of the Protestant communion, maintain, that it was always a fast of forty days, and, as such, of apostolical institution. Others think it was only of ecclesiastical institution, and that it was variously observed in different churches, and grew by degrees from a fast of forty hours, to a fast of forty days. This is the sentiment of Morton, bishop Taylor, du Maulin, Daille, and others.