new style
new style. The modern system for ordering time according to the Gregorian method, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and adopted in England and the American colonies in 1752. • Because the Julian calendar was slightly longer than the astronomical year, the vernal equinox was displaced by ten days. Pope Gregory reformed the calendar by announcing that October 5, 1582 would be called October 15. And, while generally retaining a leap year for years divisible by 4, he skipped leap years in years divisible by 100 (such as 1800 and 1900), but retained leap years for years divisible by 400 (such as 2000). Thus, the years 2000, 2004, 2008, etc. are leap years, but 2100 is not. — Abbr. n.s. — Also termed Gregorian calendar. Cf. OLD STYLE.
