daymeal

English

Alternative forms

• day-meal, day meal

Etymology

Perhaps a continuation of Old English dæġmǣl, or alternatively borrowed from Old Norse dagmál (“a division of the day around 8 or 9 a.m.; breakfast-time”), equivalent to day +‎ meal. Compare also Old English dæġmete.

Noun

daymeal (plural not attested)

1. A meal during the day (as opposed to night), usually at or about midday.
   • 2006, Patrick Cave, Sharp North:

     The glare softened, "Today the daymeal is to be broth and tatties and cheese. And I am thinking now that ye all know these solid, good things better than Raymie could pick out a raider in an empty room, drunk or sober."

   • 2014, L. S. King, Sword's Edge:

     "During the day meals, we eat together as families. But the evening meal is when any business will be discussed so Rangers eat at the center tables and their families to the side."

   • 2016, E. R. Eddison, Egil's Saga:

     Fare they then on their way: come at day-meal time to the farmstead of Thorfinn. He dwelt beside Eidwood. Egil and his craved day-meal, and to bait their horses: goodman Thorfinn took it as if that were their due.

Synonyms

• lunch

Coordinate terms

• night meal