Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

dayspring

noun

Definition of dayspring 

1 archaic : the beginning of day : dawn

2 : the beginning of a new era or order of things the dayspring of their youth— W. B. Yeats

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of dayspring

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dayspring

Middle English, from day + spring

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about dayspring

Dictionary Entries near dayspring

daysman

Days of Awe

days on end

dayspring

daystar

day student

daytale

Statistics for dayspring

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for dayspring

The first known use of dayspring was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Comments on dayspring

What made you want to look up dayspring? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

nidus

a nest or breeding place

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games