The term "post meridian" refers to the period of time after noon. It is often abbreviated as "p.m." and is commonly used when referencing a time that is after noon. The spelling of "post meridian" is as follows: /ˌpoʊst.məˈrɪdi.ən/. The IPA phonetic transcription breakdowns the word into its individual sounds. The first syllable is /ˌpoʊst/ which is pronounced as "pohst" with a long "o" sound. The second syllable is /məˈrɪdi.ən/ which is pronounced as "muh-rid-ee-uhn".
Post meridian, often abbreviated as "P.M.", is a Latin term used to indicate the time of day following noon or midday. The phrase is commonly used in the 12-hour clock system, where it represents the period from 12:00 p.m. (noon) until 11:59 p.m., marking the second half of a 24-hour day.
The term "post meridian" directly translates to "after midday," where "post" means "after" and "meridian" refers to the point when the sun is at its highest position in the sky. In modern usage, post meridian describes the time after the sun has crossed the imaginary line of the meridian, passing its highest point and beginning its descent towards the horizon.
Post meridian is used to distinguish between the time during daylight hours (a.m. or "ante meridiem") and the time during nighttime (p.m. or "post meridiem"). This distinction is essential in daily life, scheduling events, and communicating precise timings.
The concept of post meridian is widely applied in various contexts, such as business schedules, transportation timetables, TV program listings, and setting appointments. By indicating whether a particular time falls within the a.m. or p.m. periods, people can effectively communicate and plan activities with others, ensuring clarity and coordination.
Overall, post meridian serves as a fundamental temporal reference point, clearly distinguishing the time range after noon and providing a framework for organizing daily activities and scheduling.
The phrase "post meridian" is derived from Latin. In Latin, "meridianus" refers to "of midday" or "of noon". The word "post" means "after" in Latin. Therefore, "post meridian" literally translates to "after midday" or "after noon". This term is commonly used in the 12-hour time system to indicate the time period after 12:00 PM.