Yes"ter*day (?), n. [OE. [yogh]isterdai, AS. geostran daeg, from geostran, geostra, giestran, gistran, gystran, yesterday (akin to D. gisteren, G. gestern, OHG. gestaron, Icel. gaer yesterday, to-morrow, Goth. gistradagis to-morrow, L. heri yesterday, Gr. , Skr. hyas) + daeg day. Cf. Hestern. .]
1.
The day last past; the day next before the present.
All our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.
Shak.
We are but of yesterday, and know nothing.
Job viii. 9.
2.
Fig.: A recent time; time not long past.
The proudest royal houses are but of yesterday, when compared with the line of supreme pontiffs.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.
Yes"ter*day, adv.
On the day last past; on the day preceding to-day; as, the affair took place yesterday.
© Webster 1913.