Definition

Proper noun 1. The Feast of the Annunciation: A Christian festival observed on March 25th, commemorating the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus Christ. 2. A quarter day in some legal systems: In England, Wales, and Ireland, a traditional date (March 25th) marking the end of a quarter of the legal and financial year, on which certain payments such as rents were often due.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Religious festival):
  • The parish will hold a special service for Lady Day.
  • Lady Day falls exactly nine months before Christmas Day.
• Proper noun (Quarter day):
  • The rent is payable on the four quarter days, including Lady Day.
  • Many old leases in England used Lady Day as a key date for tenancy changes.

Advanced Usage

• "Lady Day in Harvest": An archaic term sometimes used for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary (August 15th), distinguishing it from the primary Lady Day in March.
  • Historical records sometimes refer to two Lady Days in the year.

Variants and Related Words

• The Annunciation: The event being commemorated; a direct synonym for the religious meaning of Lady Day.
• Quarter day: The general category of which Lady Day is a specific instance. Other quarter days include Midsummer Day, Michaelmas, and Christmas.

Synonyms

• Feast of the Annunciation: The full formal name for the religious observance.
• March 25th: The calendar date.

Notes on Meaning

The term has two distinct but historically connected meanings: 1. Primary (Religious): The major Christian feast day. 2. Secondary (Legal/Financial): The significance of this religious feast in the calendar led to its adoption as a fixed date for administrative and financial purposes in common law jurisdictions.

Noun

1. a festival commemorating the announcement of the Incarnation by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary; a quarter day in England, Wales, and Ireland