in chronology, a division of time comprising seven days. See Astronomy, p. 489.

The origin of this division of weeks, or of computing time by sevenths, is greatly controverted. Some will have it to take its rise from the four quarters or intervals of the moon, between her changes or phases, which, being about seven days distant, gave occasion to the division.

Be this as it will, the division is certainly very ancient. The Syrians, Egyptians, and most of the oriental nations, appear to have used it from all antiquity: though it did not get footing in the west till Christianity brought it in: the Romans reckoned their days no. by seven-hs, but by ninths, and the ancient Greeks by decades or tenths.

Indeed, the Jews divided their time by weeks, but it was upon a different principle from the eastern nations. God himself appointing them to work six days, and to rest the sabbath, in order to keep up the sense and remembrance of the creation; which being effected in six days, he rested the seventh.

Passion Week, or the Holy Week, is the last week in Lent, wherein the church celebrates the mystery of our Saviour's death and passion.

Wyck, in geography, a parliament and port-town of Scotland, in the shire of Caithness: W. long. 2° 45', N. lat. 58° 46'.