Crossword clues for matutinal
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Matutinal \Mat`u*ti"nal\, a. [L. matutinalis, matutinus: cf. F. matutinal. See Matin.] Of or pertaining to the morning; early.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1650s, from Latin matutinalis "pertaining to morning," from matutinus "of or pertaining to the morning," from Matuta, name of the Roman goddess of dawn, related to maturus âearlyâ (see mature (v.)). Earlier in same sense was matutine (mid-15c.). Related: Matutinally.
Wiktionary
a. Of, occurring in, or relating to the early morning.''The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language'', Fourth Edition (2006)
WordNet
adj. pertaining to or occurring in the morning; "took his matutinal walk"
Wikipedia
Matutinal is a term used in the life sciences to describe an organism that is only or primarily active in the pre- dawn hours or early morning. The variant term matinal is used only in entomology, often used in literature on the natural history and ecology of bees. There are numerous genera and species of bees that exhibit this behavior, it is presumed to escape from competition for resources, and many flowers (such as the aptly named morning glory) have adapted to this particular pollination syndrome. The etymology of the term is the Latin word mātūtīnus, "of or pertaining to the morning" (from Mātūta, Roman goddess of the dawn + -īnus, "-ine") + -ālis, "-al".
Usage examples of "matutinal".
One morning in particular, he started to sneer at me over our matutinal coffee.
He had already, at the foot of the stair, called out to the stout patronne, a lady who turned to him from the bustling, breezy hall a countenance covered with fresh matutinal powder and a bosom as capacious as the velvet shelf of a chimneypiece, over which her round white face, framed in its golden frizzle, might have figured as a showy clock.
Udders advertise themselves: pale yellow matutinal full to bursting: nine cows, thirty-six teats, eighteen eels.
Rather he got it hurt during a matutinal combat at which he was forced, being the head of the family, to be present, although he is far above the midnight carousals of his kind.
He moreover failed to take into account the numberless young lives that have been shortened by matutinal habits.
While Cleggett was still wondering what significance could underlie this unusual form of matutinal exercise, Dr.
The skipper of our cargo boat roused me just as we turned, putting under my sleepy nostrils a handful of toasted beans on a leaf, and a small cup full of something that was not coffee, but smelt as good as that matutinal beverage always does to the tired traveller.
This entertainment, he thought, was free, matutinal, and the real nittygritty stuff of life, three advantages it had over the cinema.
Immediately after breakfast Mr Robarts escaped to the Dragon of Wantly, partly because he had had enough of the matutinal Mrs Proudie, and partly also in order that he might hurry his friends there.
Let any plainest man who reads this think of his usual mode of getting himself into is matutinal garments, and confess how much such a struggle would cost him.
Mr Harold Smith--to himself: for Mrs Harold Smith was not usually present in the flesh at these matutinal meals.
He had begun the day well by scoring brilliantly off Mr Dexter across the matutinal rasher and coffee.
Miss Redbud up from the porch, deposited a matutinal salute upon her lips, and kicking at old Caesar as he passed, by way of friendly greeting, led the way into the breakfast room.
He had already, at the foot of the stair, called out to the stout patronne, a lady who turned to him from the bustling, breezy hall a countenance covered with fresh matutinal powder and a bosom as capacious as the velvet shelf of a chimneypiece, over which her round white face, framed in its golden frizzle, might have figured as a showy clock.