daylight
UK[ˈdeɪlaɪt]US[ˈdeɪlaɪt]
n
The natural light of the day, coming from the sun.
n
The period of time during the day when it is light.
Morpheme Breakdown
day
light
day
period of light
light
illumination
Etymology
The word 'daylight' is a transparent compound formed from two foundational Old English words, 'dæg' and 'lēoht', each with deep Indo-European origins. 'Day' originates from a root meaning "to burn," conceptually linking the day to the heat and light of the sun. 'Light' descends from a root meaning "brightness" or "to shine." The compound 'daylight' therefore literally means "the light of the day," a straightforward combination where the first element specifies the time and the second specifies the phenomenon. This logical construction has remained semantically stable, directly connecting the ancient, literal concepts of a sunlit period and visible illumination to its modern, concrete meaning.
Analysis
Structure: day (period of light) + light (illumination)
- day: From Old English 'dæg', meaning "day, lifetime, period of light." Its ultimate Proto-Indo-European root is dhegh-, meaning "to burn, be hot, be day."
- light: From Old English 'lēoht', meaning "brightness, radiant energy, daylight." Its ultimate Proto-Indo-European root is leuk-, meaning "light, brightness."
Examples
The room was filled with bright daylight.
They worked from daylight until dusk.
The robbery happened in broad daylight.