2007-02-25 05:25:45 · 4 answers · asked by cheerleadermonkie 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
A.M. abbreviation ante meridiem
P.M. abbreviation post meridiem
Main Entry: an·te me·ri·di·em
Pronunciation:
"an-ti-m&-'ri-dE-&m, -dE-"em
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1563
Meaning: being before noon
Abbreviation a.m.
Main Entry: post me·ri·di·em
Pronunciation:
-m&-'ri-dE-&m, -"em
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1647
Meaning: being after noon
Abbreviation p.m.
2007-02-25 05:31:23 · answer #1 · answered by Just another opinion 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A.M. is ante meridian, while p.m. is post [after] meridian. What is meridian, you ask? It's the point when the sun is at its highest--that is, noon. So, a.m. is before noon, p.m. is after noon.
2007-02-25 05:32:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ante meridian and post meridian.
I couldn't tell you why, but I can hazard a guess at that the first line of longitude is called the Prime Meridian and it runs through Greenwich, England... which is the start of the time zones
2007-02-25 09:04:22 · answer #3 · answered by Off the Key of Reason 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a.m. = ante meridiem = before midday
p.m. = post meridiem = after midday
2007-02-25 05:30:19 · answer #4 · answered by fiz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋