undern Meaning, Definition & Usage

Un"dern noun

Etymology

AS. undern; akin to OS. undorn, OHG. untarn, untorn, Icel. undorn mid afternoon, mid forenoon, Goth. undaúrnimats the midday meal. Cf. Undermeal, Undertime.

Definitions

1. The time between; the time between sunrise and noon; specifically, the third hour of the day, or nine o'clock in the morning, according to ancient reckoning; hence, mealtime, because formerly the principal meal was eaten at that hour; also, later, the afternoon; the time between dinner and supper. Obs. or Prov. Eng.

   Betwixt undern and noon was the field all won. R. of Brunne.

   In a bed of worts still he lay Till it was past undern of the day. Chaucer.