Nychthemeron

/nɪkˈθɛmərɒn/ noun

Definition

A full period of night and day; a complete 24-hour cycle.

Etymology

From Greek 'nyx' (night) + 'hemera' (day). A single word for the complete cycle of darkness and light. More precise than 'day,' which ambiguously means either 'daytime' or '24 hours.'

Kelly Says

We don't have a good English word for exactly 24 hours — 'day' can mean daytime OR a full cycle! The Greeks had NYCHTHEMERON: one complete night+day package! English NEEDS this word! Petition to bring it back! ☀️🌙

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