amburbium

Etymology

From Latin amburbium.

amburbium means an ancient expiatory procession round the city of Rome at which sacrifices were offered. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 82 out of 100.

Why “amburbium” is a great word

AMBURBIUM — [Noun] A solemn Roman rite of purification and atonement, enacted as a sacrificial procession encircling the sacred boundary of the city. From Latin amburbium, from ambi- ("around") + urb-, stem of urbs ("city"). Unlike the ambarvalia, which wound through the plowed furrows of the fields, or the general lustratio, which could consecrate any space, the amburbium was the city’s own circuit of defense. It was the lowing of the garlanded bull led before the priests, the scent of incense and burnt spelt mingling with the dust of the pomerium, and the solemn, shuffling tread of the college along the worn perimeter stone—a ritual acknowledgment that civilization is a walled garden, forever in need of rededication.

noun

An ancient expiatory procession round the city of Rome at which sacrifices were offered.