Nooning

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A restful interlude often occurring around midday that allows for meals or leisure activities
2. A designated time during the day, commonly in the afternoon, for relaxation and dining
3. A pause during the middle of the day for eating or relaxation

Etymology: "Nooning" is simply "noon" with the suffix "-ing" attached, and that suffix does a particular job here. English "-ing" can turn a noun into a noun meaning a period of time or an activity tied to that time, so "nooning" names the stretch of the day around noon that is set aside for rest. The formation follows the same pattern as older words built on time-of-day nouns. The word is used for a midday rest taken during work, especially in farming and other outdoor labour, when people stopped in the heat of the day to eat and recover before resuming. Its meaning rests entirely on the sense of "noon" as the middle of the day, so the word tells you when the break happens as well as what it is.

Synonyms: luncheon, midday meal