Mayday

views updated Jun 08 2018

May·day / ˈmāˌdā/ (also may·day) • interj. an international radio distress signal used by ships and aircraft.• n. a distress signal using the word “Mayday”: we sent out a Mayday | [as adj.] a Mayday call.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Mayday

views updated Jun 08 2018

Mayday an international radio distress signal used by ships and aircraft. Recorded from the 1920s, the word represents a pronunciation of French m'aider, from venez m'aider ‘come and help me’. (
See also CQD, SOS.)

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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Mayday

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