solemn festival of the Jews; so called because it was celebrated on the 50th day after the 16th of the month Nisan, which was the second day of the passover. See Passover.

The feast of Pentecost was instituted in memory of the law's being given on the 50th day after the Israelites came out of Egypt. It was on the feast of Pentecost that the Holy Ghost miraculously descended on the apostles. See Whitsunday.

Penthesilea, queen of the Amazons, succeeded Orythia, and gave proofs of her courage at the siege of Troy, where she was killed by Achilles. Pliny says that she invented the battle-ax.