U

day

< /ˈʃɛp ərd/, 1874–1935, U.S. author.

Dorothy,1897–1980, U.S. Roman Catholic social activist, journalist, and publisher.

Also Daye. Stephen,1594?–1668, U.S. colonist, born in England: considered the first printer in the Colonies.

noun

Also called: civil day the period of time, the calendar day, of 24 hours’ duration reckoned from one midnight to the next
1. the period of light between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from the night
2. (as modifier)the day shift
the part of a day occupied with regular activity, esp workhe took a day off
(sometimes plural) a period or point in timehe was a good singer in his day; in days gone by; any day now
the period of time, the sidereal day, during which the earth makes one complete revolution on its axis relative to a particular star. The mean sidereal day lasts 23 hours 56 minutes 4.1 seconds of the mean solar day
the period of time, the solar day, during which the earth makes one complete revolution on its axis relative to the sun. The mean solar day is the average length of the apparent solar day and is some four minutes (3 minutes 56.5 seconds of sidereal time) longer than the sidereal day
the period of time taken by a specified planet to make one complete rotation on its axisthe Martian day
(often capital) a day designated for a special observance, esp a holidayChristmas Day
all in a day’s work part of one’s normal activity; no trouble
at the end of the day in the final reckoning
day of rest the Sabbath; Sunday
end one’s days to pass the end of one’s life
every dog has his day one’s luck will come
in this day and age nowadays
it’s early days it’s too early to tell how things will turn out
late in the day
1. very late (in a particular situation)
2. too late
that will be the day
1. I look forward to that
2. that is most unlikely to happen
a time of success, recognition, power, etchis day will soon come
a struggle or issue at handthe day is lost
1. the ground surface over a mine
2. (as modifier)the day level
from day to day without thinking of the future
call it a day to stop work or other activity
day after day without respite; relentlessly
day by day gradually or progressively; dailyhe weakened day by day
day in, day out every day and all day long
from Day 1 or from Day One from the very beginning
one of these days at some future time
(modifier) of, relating to, or occurring in the daythe day shift

noun

Sir Robin. 1923–2000, British radio and television journalist, noted esp for his political interviews

Old English dæg “day,” also “lifetime,” from Proto-Germanic *dagaz (cf. Old Saxon, Middle Dutch, Dutch dag, Old Frisian dei, Old High German tag, German Tag, Old Norse dagr, Gothic dags), from PIE *dhegh-.

Not considered to be related to Latin dies (see diurnal), but rather to Sanskrit dah “to burn,” Lithuanian dagas “hot season,” Old Prussian dagis “summer.” Meaning originally, in English, “the daylight hours;” expanded to mean “the 24-hour period” in late Anglo-Saxon times. Day off first recorded 1883; day-tripper first recorded 1897. The days in nowadays, etc. is a relic of the Old English and Middle English use of the adverbial genitive.

See under sidereal time solar day.

In addition to the idioms beginning with day

day after day
day and night
day by day
day in court, have one’s
day in, day out
day off
days are numbered, one’s
day to day

also see:

all in a day’s work
any day
apple a day
bad hair day
break of day
by the day
call it a day
carry the day
different as night and day
dog days
every dog has its day
field day
for days on end
forever and a day
from this day forward
good day
had its day
happy as the day is long
heavenly days
in all one’s born days
in the cold light of day
in this day and age
late in the day
make a day of it
make one’s day
name the day
night and day
not give someone the time of day
not one’s day
one of these days
order of the day
pass the time (of day)
plain as day
rainy day
red-letter day
Rome wasn’t built in a day
salad days
save the day
seen better days
see the light of day
that’ll be the day
the other day
time of day
tomorrow is another day
win through (the day)