POST MERIDIEM Meaning and
Definition
-
Post meridiem (PM) is a Latin term that literally translates to "after midday." It is used to indicate the time period that occurs after 12:00 noon or midday until 11:59 PM or midnight. The term is commonly employed in the 12-hour clock system, especially in English-speaking countries, to distinguish between the two halves of a day: morning (ante meridiem or AM) and afternoon and night (post meridiem or PM).
In the 12-hour clock system, each day is divided into two sections of twelve hours each. The first half, from midnight to noon, is known as AM, and the latter half, from noon to midnight, is referred to as PM. Post meridiem can also be visualized on a clock face since, after the hour hand reaches twelve for midday, it continues its rotation, indicating the progression of time in the afternoon and evening.
The use of PM helps individuals in timekeeping and scheduling, as it allows for precise distinctions between events occurring before and after midday. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as business hours, broadcast schedules, public transportation timetables, or appointment bookings, where people need to clarify if a specific time refers to the morning or afternoon. Emphasizing AM and PM helps in avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring effective communication when discussing time.
Common Misspellings for POST MERIDIEM
- oost meridiem
- lost meridiem
- -ost meridiem
- 0ost meridiem
- pist meridiem
- pkst meridiem
- plst meridiem
- ppst meridiem
- p0st meridiem
- p9st meridiem
- poat meridiem
- pozt meridiem
- poxt meridiem
- podt meridiem
- poet meridiem
- powt meridiem
- posr meridiem
- posf meridiem
- posg meridiem
Etymology of POST MERIDIEM
The phrase "post meridiem" is a Latin expression that translates to "after midday" or "after noon". To understand the etymology, it's essential to break down the phrase into its component parts.
1. "Post": Derived from the Latin word "post", meaning "after" or "behind". It is commonly used in English as a prefix in words like "postpone" and "postwar".
2. "Meridiem": Derived from the Latin word "meridiem", which means "midday". It comes from the combination of two Latin words: "medius" meaning "middle" and "dies" meaning "day". "Meridiem" refers to the midpoint of the day or noon.
When combined, "post meridiem" signifies the time period after noon or midday.
Similar spelling words for POST MERIDIEM
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
