from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lent \Lent\, n. [OE. lente, lenten, leynte, AS. lengten,
lencten, spring, lent, akin to D. lente, OHG. lenzin, langiz,
G. lenz, and perh. fr. AS. lang long, E. long, because at
this season of the year the days lengthen.] (Eccl.)
A fast of forty days, beginning with Ash Wednesday and
continuing till Easter, observed by some Christian churches
as commemorative of the fast of our Savior.
[1913 Webster]
{Lent lily} (Bot.), the daffodil; -- so named from its
blossoming in spring.
[1913 Webster]