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

My housekeeper sends me in her book every quarter day, with an account of what she pays.

From Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities by Surtees, Robert Smith

Lord Lyndhurst took his seat as Chief Baron yesterday morning, Alexander retiring without an equivalent, and only having waited for quarter day.

From The Greville Memoirs A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV, Vol. II by Reeve, Henry

My mother's silver—two gravy-spoons and a salt-cellar—had been pawned for some weeks, since, in fact, the June quarter day.

From In the Days of the Comet by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

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 Dickens, Charles