yesterday

Meanings

Noun

• The day immediately before today; one day ago.
• The past, often in terms of being outdated.

Adverb

• On the day before today.
• As soon as possible.

Origin

• From Middle English yesterday, yisterday, ȝesterdai, ȝisterdai, from Old English ġiestrandæġ, ġister dæġ, ġestor dæġ, ġeostran dæġ, equivalent to yester- + day; see there for more. Compare Scots yisterday, yesterday, Gothic 𐌲𐌹𐍃𐍄𐍂𐌰𐌳𐌰𐌲𐌹𐍃. Compare further Dutch gisteren, German gestern.