Emily Dickinson Lexicon

YES'TER-DAY, n. [Sax. gyrstan-dæg, gyrsterlnic dæg. See Yester.]

1. The day last past; the day next before the present. All our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Shak. We are of but yesterday, and know nothing. Job viii.
2. Yesterday is used generally without a preposition; as, I went to town yesterday. Yesterday we received letters from our friends. In this case, a preposition is understood; as, on yesterday, or during yesterday. The word may be considered as adverbially used.