quarter day

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.

quarter day

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quarter day¹

First recorded in 1470–80

Example Sentences

It is an ancient calendar marker called a “cross quarter” day that was the midpoint of an astronomical season.

From Washington Post

But faced with a fourth-and-2 at midfield late in the third quarter, Day punted, putting the game on his defense, which entered Saturday ranked first in yards and scoring but at the moment was reeling.

From New York Times

Trailing 17-7 in the final quarter, Day hit David Shannon III on a 14-yarder that he fumbled into end zone.

From Washington Times

Earth actually takes 365.2422 days to complete one trip around the sun, and as a result our calendar falls behind by about a quarter day each year.

From National Geographic

They stayed, on average, an extra quarter day in the hospital and racked up $155 to $1,576 more in costs.

From Reuters