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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

The periodic time of the earth is 365 days, omitting the quarter day.

From Aether and Gravitation by Hooper, William George

It was as if "Rickman's", destroyer and preserver, renewed his life every quarter day that it might draw in, devour, annihilate it as before.

From The Divine Fire by Sinclair, May

Custom was falling off and quarter day was fast approaching.

From A Book of Quaker Saints by Hodgkin, L. V. (Lucy Violet)

The usurer would be very well satisfied to have all the time annihilated that lies between the present moment and next quarter day.

From The Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant by Moore, John Hamilton