Words / B2

DAYBR-ayk/ˈdeɪbreɪk/

Daybreak is the time of day when light first appears; dawn (usually uncountable): at daybreak; before daybreak. Sunrise is when the sun appears; dusk is the evening twin. Give the time of daybreak in the fieldwork log, then the grid reference. Mix-up: daybreak vs outbreak; breakfast; do not write daybreak for 08:00 on a winter clock unless the source names first light.

Meaning

The time of day when light first appears; dawn (usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Give the time of daybreak in the fieldwork log, then the grid reference.”
• “A raid at daybreak featured in the history source, which is still a named hour — quote it if given.”

Good to know

at / before daybreak. Close: dawn / first light. Contrast: sunrise / dusk. Trap: breakfast / 08:00 with no first-light wording. Geography and history. First light — quote the time.

Near in meaning

dawn, first light, sunrise

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