quarter day

quarter day ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. (in England, Ireland, and Wales) one of the four days, Lady Day, Midsummer Day, Michaelmas, or Christmas, regarded as marking off the quarters of the year, on which quarterly payments are due, tenancies begin and end, etc.
2. (in Scotland) one of the four days, Candlemas, Whitsunday, Lammas, or Martinmas, regarded as marking off the quarters of the year.

Origin of quarter day First recorded in 1470–80 Examples from the Web for quarter day Historical Examples of quarter day

The tradesman never lived who could say that he was not paid on the quarter-day.

The Book of Snobs

William Makepeace Thackeray

Quarter-day is coming on, and I have several things to meet.

The Time of Roses

L. T. Meade

And that everything will be ready by quarter-day—everything ready.

The Curate in Charge

Margaret Oliphant

Its not so sure as death or quarter-day, but its upon the cards for all that.

Recollections of a Policeman

William Russell (aka Thomas Waters)

They want to come in on quarter-day, so that we have no time to spare.

George Eliot’s Life, Vol. II (of 3)

George Eliot

British Dictionary definitions for quarter day quarter day noun

1. any of four days in the year when certain payments become due. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland these are Lady Day, Midsummer’s Day, Michaelmas, and Christmas. In Scotland they are Candlemas, Whit Sunday, Lammas, and Martinmas