matutinal

[ muh-toot-n-l, -tyoot- ]

adjective
  1. pertaining to or occurring in the morning; early in the day.

Origin of matutinal

1
First recorded in 1400–50; from Late Latin mātūtinālis “of, belonging to the morning, early,” equivalent to Latin mātūtīn(us) “of the morning” (Mātūt(a) “goddess of dawn” + -īnus -ine1) + -ālis -al1

Other words from matutinal

  • ma·tu·ti·nal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby matutinal

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How to use matutinal in a sentence

  • "'Twill be the change of air makes Sir Rowland matutinal," said Diana, making a gallant recovery from her agitation.

    Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini
  • At the moment when they disappeared in the forest, the owl uttered its matutinal cry, the precursor of sunrise.

    The Border Rifles | Gustave Aimard
  • The same is true for the most part of matutinal erections, the precise cause of which is not yet determined.

  • These congress meetings did not begin before eleven, so that for those who were active time for matutinal exercise was allowed.

    Orley Farm | Anthony Trollope
  • One of his peculiar emblems was a cock, by the means of whose matutinal song he was supposed to announce the approach of the dawn.

British Dictionary definitions for matutinal

matutinal

/ (ˌmætjʊˈtaɪnəl) /


adjective
  1. of, occurring in, or during the morning

Origin of matutinal

1
C17: from Late Latin mātūtīnālis, from Latin mātūtīnus, from Mātūta goddess of the dawn

Derived forms of matutinal

  • matutinally, adverb

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