rush-hour
UK[ˈrʌʃ aʊə(r)]US[ˈrʌʃ aʊər]
n
The time of day when traffic is heaviest, especially when people are traveling to or from work.
Morpheme Breakdown
rush
hour
rush
to move quickly
hour
a period of time
Etymology
The compound "rush-hour" is a modern formation that vividly describes a specific period of the day. The word "rush" evokes the sense of hurried movement and heightened activity, while "hour" anchors this activity to a conventional, recurring timeframe. This combination logically creates a term for the predictable daily peaks in commuter traffic, originally in public transport and later extending to road congestion. It encapsulates the societal shift towards standardized work schedules in industrialized urban centers.
Analysis
Structure: rush (to move quickly) + hour (a period of time)
- rush: From Middle English rushen, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative. Functions as a noun meaning a period of intense activity or movement.
- hour: From Old French hore, from Latin hōra, from Greek hōrā (season, time). Functions as a noun denoting a specific unit or period of time.
Examples
The subway is packed during the morning rush-hour.
I try to avoid driving on the highway at rush-hour.
Traffic reports are essential for navigating the evening rush-hour.