after-dawn
|af-ter-dawn|
🇺🇸
/ˌæf.tɚˈdɔn/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːf.təˈdɔːn/
after sunrise; early morning
Etymology
'after-dawn' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'after' and 'dawn', where 'after' comes from Old English 'æfter' meaning 'following' and 'dawn' comes from Old English 'dagian' (related to Proto-Germanic roots) meaning 'to become day'.
'after' developed from Old English 'æfter' and 'dawn' from Old English 'dagian'/'dawn'; the two elements have been combined in Modern English to form the descriptive compound 'after-dawn'.
Initially the elements simply described time ('after' + 'dawn' = after the beginning of day); over time the compound has retained that basic temporal meaning and is used adjectivally, adverbially, or as a noun to refer to the early-morning period.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the period of time immediately following dawn; the early-morning hours after sunrise.
We enjoyed the calm of the after-dawn before the town woke up.
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Adjective 1
happening or existing after dawn; occurring in the early morning after the sun has risen.
The hikers set out in the after-dawn light to avoid the midday heat.
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Adverb 1
at a time after dawn; after the sun has risen.
Birdsong becomes louder after-dawn.
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Last updated: 2026/01/05 10:04