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afternoon
good day
A conventional, formal, and somewhat old-fashioned expression of greeting or farewell used during the daytime. Good day, sir! What news do you have for me from our partners out east? I will not tolerate this sort of rudeness! I bid you good day!
of a morning/afternoon/evening
1. Very often at this time of day; on most occasions at this time of day. My father has a ritual of an evening, enjoying the newspaper with a measure of whiskey after dinner in front of the fire.
2. At some point at this time of day. There's a soccer club playing at the park if you're ever stuck for something to do of a morning in the summertime.
(Good) afternoon.
1. the appropriate greeting for use between noon and supper time. Sally: How are you today? Jane: Good afternoon. How are you? Sally: Fine, thank you. Bob: Afternoon. Nice to see you. Bill: Good afternoon. How are you? Bob: Fine, thanks.
2. an expression used on departure or for dismissal between noon and supper time. (Meaning "I wish you a good afternoon.") Sally: See you later, Bill. Bill: Afternoon. See you later. Mary: Nice to see you. Tom: Good afternoon. Take care.
good day
Also,
good afternoon or evening or morning . Formal ways of saying "Hello" or "Goodbye." For example,
He began rather oddly by addressing the audience with "
Good day," or "
Good afternoon, ladies,"
said the sales clerk as we walked out. All these greetings represent an abbreviation of the now obsolete
God give you a good day (afternoon, etc.), which dates from about 1200. Also see
good night.