witching hour

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Often preceded by the

   Often preceded by the: midnight, when witches and other supernatural beings were thought to be active, and to which bad luck was ascribed; also (generally), the middle of the night, when unfortunate things are thought to be more likely to occur; the dead of night.

   • I wanted to get home before the witching hour.
   • Tis novv the very vvitching time of night, / VVhen Churchyards yavvne, and hell it ſelfe breakes out / Contagion to this vvorld: […]
2. 2

   A time of day, usually in the early evening, when babies and young children are more…

   A time of day, usually in the early evening, when babies and young children are more fretful and likely to cry or fuss.

3. 3

   The final hour of trading each month during which certain stock options expire, leading…

   The final hour of trading each month during which certain stock options expire, leading to a higher trading volume and greater price volatility.

4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      The hour between 3

      The hour between 3:00 and 3:59 a.m., associated with demons.

      • "Do you know what three a.m. is?" […] "It's called the witching hour. It's the reverse of the holy hour—three p.m.—when Jesus died on the cross.[…]"
      • The witching hour is three a.m., in mockery of the Trinity and a perversion of the hour of his death.
      • By the way, the hour between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. is also known as the witching hour because it's thought that paranormal forces are at their strongest during that time.

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