quarter day

noun

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

Origin of quarter day

First recorded in 1470–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for quarter day

Historical Examples of quarter day

The tradesman never lived who could say that he was not paid on the quarter-day.
The Book of Snobs
William Makepeace Thackeray
Quarter-day is coming on, and I have several things to meet.
The Time of Roses
L. T. Meade
And that everything will be ready by quarter-day—everything ready.
The Curate in Charge
Margaret Oliphant
Its not so sure as death or quarter-day, but its upon the cards for all that.
Recollections of a Policeman
William Russell (aka Thomas Waters)
They want to come in on quarter-day, so that we have no time to spare.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. II (of 3)
George Eliot

British Dictionary definitions for quarter day

quarter day

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012