[Properly, The Lord’s Day = L. dies Dominicus, -ca (whence F. dimanche, Sp. Domingo, It. Domenica), Gr. ἡ κυριακὴ ἡμέρα Rev. i. 10.] A Christian appellation for Sunday.
In the 17–18th c. Lord’s day (without the article) was somewhat widely used (not exclusively among Puritans) as an ordinary name for the day. This use seems to be partially retained by some Nonconformists (expressions like ‘next Lord’s day’ appearing occasionally in announcements of services). Otherwise, the Lord’s day is the only form now current, and it is commonly employed only when the intention is to refer expressly to the sacred character of the day.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 41. Sunedei is ihaten þes lauerdes dei.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., IX. xxi. (1495), 358. The fyrste day hyght the lordes day and Sonedaye.
1639. Bury Wills (Camden), 177. Vpon euery Lord’s day, called Sonday, throughout euery yere of the said terme.
1660. Pepys, Diary, 4 March. 4th. Lord’s day. Before I went to church I [etc.].
1677. Act 29 Chas. II., c. 7 § 1. For the better observation and keeping holy the Lord’s day commonly called Sunday.
c. 1710. C. Fiennes, Diary (1888), 301. They come in Coaches and drive round, but it is only Lords day nights and some nights.
1759. B. Fawcett, Pref. to Baxter’s Saints’ R. (1836), 42. On Lord’s days … a person … might overhear hundreds of families engaged in singing psalms.
1882. Jean L. Watson, Life R. S. Candlish, viii. 97. Multitudes were thus induced to travel on the Lord’s day.
attrib. 1901. Whitaker’s Almanack, 285. (Societies and Institutions.) Lord’s Day Observance Society.
