Day

[Lat. dies; Fr. jour.] A pe-.riod of time consisting of twenty-four hours, and including the solar day and the night.

Co: Liu, 135 a. Bract, fol 264.

An artificial period of time, computed from one fixed point to another, without any reference to the natural distinction between day and night; and hence very expressively termed by Bracton an artificial day.* Efficitur dies qui dicitur artificialis ex die precedente et nocte subsequente. Bract, ub. sup. Britt. c.

80.

A day, in contemplation of law, usually comprises all the twenty-four hours, beginning and ending at twelve o'clock at night. Therefore, in general, if I am bound to pay money on any certain day, I discharge the obligation if I pay it before twelve o'clock at night, after which the following day commences.

2 BL Com. 141. 1 Steph. Com. 265.

This is otherwbe called, as among the Romans, a civil day.

Adam's Rom. Ant. 358.

See J)ies juridicus, Sunday. A period of time of variable length, beginning at day-break and ending with twi* light, as distinguished from ni^ht.* See Inght. This has been termed by some of the old writers an artificial day. Termes de la ley.

Cowell.

But the epithet artificial rather belongs to the civil day {suprat) than this, which is a natural period, being merely the solar day {infra) extended to its utmost limits. A solar day, according to Lord Coke, begins at sunrise and ends at sunset.

Co. Lilt. 135 a.

This is the same with the natural day of the Romans. In modem science, the term solar day has quit« a different meanmg, denoting the interval between two noons.

Brande.