postmeridian
|post-mer-i-di-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌpoʊstməˈrɪdiən/
🇬🇧
/ˌpəʊstməˈrɪdɪən/
after midday / afternoon
Etymology
'postmeridian' originates from Latin, specifically the phrase 'post meridianus', where 'post' meant 'after' and 'meridianus' (from 'meridies') meant 'of midday'.
'postmeridian' changed from Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'postmeridianus' and entered English usage (via Modern Latin borrowings) as 'postmeridian', preserving the compound formation 'post' + 'meridian(‑al)'.
Initially, it meant 'after midday' and the basic sense has been preserved; over time it has been used both as a literal adjective and as a formal noun referring to the afternoon or the period denoted by 'p.m.'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the period after midday; the afternoon (often used in formal or technical contexts; abbreviated 'p.m.').
She preferred taking walks in the postmeridian when it was quieter.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/03 16:32