a., adv., sb. [The first element of yesterday, yestereve, etc., used as a separate word. Cf. next.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to yesterday. poet.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., Descr. Scot., ix. 12/1. We haue such plenty of fishe,… that although Millions … of them be taken on the one day, yet on the next their losse wil so be supplied with new store, that nothing shal be missing by reason of the yesterfang.
1690. Dryden, Don Sebastian, II. i. (1692), D 1 b. To love an Enemy,… whom yester Sun beheld, Must’ring her Charms.
1725. Pope, Odyss., IV. 881. When the glimm’ring ray Or yester dawn disclos’d the tender day.
1737. Glover, Leonidas, VII. 31. Opposition more tremendous still And ruinous, than yester sun beheld.
1848. Lytton, K. Arthur, XI. cxliv. Thro paths his yester steps had fail’d to find.
1889. Bliss Carman, in Universal Rev., Nov., 427.
| There all day long my yester journey was, | |
| From Nerepis to Nashwaak. |
c. 1919. A. Kreymborg, Dorothy, 60.
| Had I | |
| the yester sun— | |
| had I | |
| the morrow’s. |
† B. adv. Yesterday. Obs.
1647. in Essex Rev. (1908), XVII. 134. Sir thomas farfax yester dined at the Tower.
1653. Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 6. The other took his advertisement so ill that they were like to have fallen by the ears yester.
1790. Grose, Prov. Gloss. (ed. 2), Suppl., All the day yester.
† C. sb. Yesterday. Also transf. Obs.
a. 1701. Sedley, Virg. Past., vi. Wks. 1778, I. 307. With fumes of yester’s wine the god was doz’d.
1837. Whittock, etc., Bk. Trades (1842), 390 (Printer). Ornamental printing—the last thing of yester’s date.
