I. ˈdȯn, ˈdän intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English dawnen, probably back-formation from dawning
1. : to begin to grow light in the morning : grow light with or as if with the light of the rising sun
the day dawns
2. : to make an initial appearance : begin to develop
the day of mammals had dawned — W.E.Swinton
a watery smile dawned on Joe's face — Marguerite Steen
3. : to become apparent : begin to be perceived or understood — usually used with on
it dawned on me that he was an utter fool
the truth dawned on him at last — T.B.Costain
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the first appearance of light in the morning : show of approaching sunrise : morning twilight : daybreak
by the dawns early light — F.S.Key
2. : first appearance : opening , beginning
dawn of the Renaissance
dawn of human consciousness — W.J.Reilly
3. : a moderate pink that is yellower and less strong than arbutus pink and bluer and stronger than hydrangea pink