meridiem
|me-ri-di-em|
C1
/məˈrɪdiəm/
middle of the day
Etymology
Etymology Information
'meridiem' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'meridies,' where 'medi-' meant 'middle' and 'dies' meant 'day.'
Historical Evolution
'meridies' transformed into the English word 'meridiem' and is now used in the context of time.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'middle of the day,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the term 'meridiem' is used in the context of time to refer to the middle of the day, specifically noon. It is often used in the abbreviations 'a.m.' (ante meridiem) and 'p.m.' (post meridiem).
The clock struck twelve meridiem, marking the start of the afternoon.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/07 09:21