ˌanəˈvərs(ə)rē, -və̄s-, -vəis-, -ri noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English anniversarie, from Medieval Latin anniversaria, anniversarium, from feminine & neuter of Latin anniversarius, from annus year + versus (past participle of vertere to turn) + -arius -ary — more at annual , worth
1.
a. : the annual recurrence of a date marking an event or occurrence of notable importance
the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
the anniversary of the founding of a publishing house
a wedding anniversary
b. : the celebration or commemoration of an anniversary
2. Roman Catholicism : a mass said periodically for the soul of someone deceased