séculos

séculos

Sécus is a Portuguese term meaning "centuries", derived from the Latin saeculum, which originally referred to a generation or an era of life. In contemporary usage it denotes periods of 100 years and is employed both in historical contexts and in everyday language to refer to long stretches of time.

Definition and Measurement

A century is a unit of time equal to one hundred years. In the Gregorian calendar, the first century spanned 1 CE to 100 CE, the second from 101 to 200 CE, and so forth. The designation of centuries follows a logical but sometimes counterintuitive rule: the years whose last two digits are 00 belong to the preceding century (for example, 1900 is part of the 19th century, not the 20th). The current 21st century began on 1 January 2001 and will end on 31 December 2100.

Historical Context

The concept of centuries has been used for centuries in Europe to structure historical narratives, such as the "12th century" to refer to the period between 1100 and 1199. It facilitates comparison across cultures and epochs. Many countries number centuries based on the numbering of their dynasties or significant political epochs; in Portugal, for instance, the Second, Third, and Fourth Sécus refer to different eras in the nation's development.

Notable Centuries

Throughout history, centuries have been characterized by distinct social, cultural, and technological developments. The Renaissance of the 14th and 15th centuries, the Age of Exploration of the 16th century, and the industrial revolutions of the 19th century are often cited as key periods. In recent times, the 20th century is noted for its rapid technological progress, global conflicts, and the rise of digital communication.

Usage and Linguistic Notes

In Portuguese, the word can appear in both singular (século) and plural (séculos). It is used in combination with adjectives to indicate specific periods, e.g., "século XIX" or "séculos XIX e XX". The term is also found in idiomatic expressions such as "passar o dia em séculos" (to feel as if time stands still).