quadragenae

Noun

quadragene (plural quadragenes or quadragenae)

1. (historical) An indulgence from 40 days of fasting or similar abstinence, especially during Lent; (later) various equivalent indulgences against punishment in Purgatory.
   • You have with much labour, and some charge, purchased to your self so many Quadragenes or Lents of pardon; that is, you have bought off the penances of so many times forty dayes. It is well; but were you well advised, it may be your Quadragenes are not Carenes; that is, are not a quitting the...1664, Jeremy Taylor, A Disswasive from Popery to the People of Ireland, page 93
2. (historical) An indulgence provided by 40 days of fasting.
   • Actors and spectators were often granted indulgences; generally^([sic]) to the scale of one Quadragene (a forty-day fast on bread and water in return for divine grace).2001, Erika Fischer-Lichte, translated by Jo Riley, History of European Drama and Theatre, page 47