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.