Pronunciation

/biː ˈɛri:/

Definitions

• Abbreviation: An abbreviation of the Latin term “Before Christ,” denoting a period in history before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Usage

• Noun: In the context of dates, it is used to indicate a year or era before the Common Era (CE). For example: “The ancient civilization flourished during the B.C. era.”
• Adjective: Occasionally used to describe a time frame in discussions about history or chronology. For example: “Many significant events took place during the B.C. period.”

Phrases

• “B.C.” is often followed by a specific year or range of years to indicate a historical timeframe. For example: “The event occurred around 450 B.C.”
• “Before Christ” is the full form of this abbreviation.

Example Sentences

• “Archaeological findings suggest that the city was founded around 2000 B.C.”
• “The battle took place in the B.C. era, long before the rise of Rome.”

Synonyms

• None, as “B.C.” is not a synonym but rather a specific term with its own meaning. However, related expressions could include “antiquity,” “pre-Christian,” or " BCE" (Before the Common Era).