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high noon. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
high noon, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
high noon in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
high noon you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Pronunciation
Noun
high noon (plural high noons)
- (idiomatic) Exactly noon; midday (when the sun is at its highest).
- Synonyms: noontime, noontide, nones; see also Thesaurus:midday
- Coordinate term: noonish
The same streets that are inviting and quiet at high noon may be intimidating at night.
- (idiomatic, figuratively) The zenith or apex of one's life or of a certain activity or era.
- Synonyms: noontime, noontide
- (idiomatic) A time, set out in advance, at which an important decision is to be made or a nemesis is to be confronted
- 1860 January 27, William Lloyd Garrison, annual meeting, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, as quoted in Liberator (1860 February 3)
- whereas, ten years since, there were thousands who could not endure my lightest word of rebuke to the South, they can now easily swollow John Brown whole, and his rifle into the bargain. In firing his gun, he has merely told us what time of day it is. It is high noon, thank God!
Usage notes
For high noon versus twelve o'clock high, see twelve o'clock § Usage notes.
See also