Antemeridian

/ˌæntɪmɛˈrɪdiən/ adjective

Definition

Occurring or existing before noon, relating to the time before midday.

Etymology

From Latin 'ante-' (before) + 'meridianus' (relating to midday, from 'meridies' meaning noon). This appears in the abbreviation 'a.m.' which is short for the Latin 'ante meridiem'.

Kelly Says

The 'a.m.' you see on every clock is actually frozen Latin—literally 'before midday'—a 2,000-year-old phrase we still use dozens of times daily without thinking about it!

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