† day-redn.

Etymology: Apparently cognate with or formed similarly to Middle Dutch dagheraet , dageraet (Dutch dageraad ), Middle Low German dāgerāt , dāgerēt , dāgerōt , Old High German tagarōd , tagarōt , tagarōta , tagarōti (Middle High German tagerāt , (also) tagerōt ) < the Germanic base of day n. + a second element of uncertain and disputed origin (see note). Perhaps compare also Old Icelandic dagráð favourable day, propitious moment (with reinterpretation of the second element after ráð advice, foresight: see rede n.¹). Compare day-rim n. and day-row n.Reanalysis and alteration of the second element after red n. or red adj. (by association with the red colour of the sky at dawn; compare red adj. 1c) probably occurs from at least early Middle English. The original form and identity of the second element remains uncertain; for a possible parallel formation compare Old English hīred household, retinue (see hird n.). It has also been suggested that the -r- reflects the stem-final consonant of a variant stem form (s -stem) of day n. and is therefore not part of the second element, and that there has been subsequent alteration of the (unidentified) second element by association with forms of rede n.¹ and red adj. The following probably shows a new formation < day n. + red n., rather than an archaizing revival of the earlier word:1906 C. M. Doughty Dawn in Brit. II. viii. 197 Durst angry Gauls, At new day-red, assail this Roman castrum.