quarter day

American  

noun

1. (in England, Ireland, and Wales) one of the four days, Lady Day, Midsummer Day, Michaelmas, or Christmas, regarded as marking off the quarters of the year, on which quarterly payments are due, tenancies begin and end, etc.

2. (in Scotland) one of the four days, Candlemas, Whitsunday, Lammas, or Martinmas, regarded as marking off the quarters of the year.

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quarter day British  

noun

1. any of four days in the year when certain payments become due. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland these are Lady Day, Midsummer's Day, Michaelmas, and Christmas. In Scotland they are Candlemas, Whit Sunday, Lammas, and Martinmas

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Etymology

Origin of quarter day

First recorded in 1470–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

quarter day

There remains practically a quarter day, which every four years could be counted an accumulated full day.

From Time Magazine Archive

On quarter day, he pays his rent at the stroke of noon.

From English Pharisees and French Crocodiles and Other Anglo-French Typical Characters by Max O'Rell

You know it is very near quarter day, George, very near, and some money will be paid in then.

From For the Cause by Stanley J. Weyman

And immediately it was quarter day; and the King’s quarter’s salary came rattling down the chimney, and bounced into the middle of the floor.

From The Magic Fishbone A Holiday Romance from the Pen of Miss Alice Rainbird, Aged 7 by Charles Dickens

The King went on towards the office in a melancholy mood, for quarter day was such a long way off, and several of the dear children were growing out of their clothes.

From The Magic Fishbone A Holiday Romance from the Pen of Miss Alice Rainbird, Aged 7 by Charles Dickens