旧きゅう臘ろう

noun, adverb

last December; end of last year

Literary or old-fashioned term for the end of the previous year, especially the last month. In modern Japanese, 去年の十二月 or 昨年末 are far more common.

• 旧きゅう臘ろうの候こう、皆みな様さまにはお変かわりなくお過すごしのことと存ぞんじます。

  In this season of last December, I trust you are all doing well. (A formal, old-fashioned seasonal greeting.)

• 旧きゅう臘ろう、当とう地ちは記き録ろく的てきな大おお雪ゆきに見み舞まわれた。

  Last December, this area was hit by record-breaking heavy snow. (Literary style.)