What does "A.M." stand for in terms of time?

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The term "A.M." stands for "Ante Meridian," which is Latin for "before noon." It is used to denote the time from midnight (12:00 AM) until just before noon (11:59 AM). The prefix "ante" means "before," while "meridian" refers to midday or noon. This designation helps distinguish the hours in the morning from those in the afternoon and evening, which are marked as "P.M." or "Post Meridian," meaning "after noon."

While "Anti-Meridiem" may seem like a plausible answer, it is not the correct term used in this context. "After Midnight" would not accurately describe the entirety of the A.M. time designation since A.M. continues beyond midnight until noon. "All Meridian" does not correspond to any recognized timekeeping terminology associated with A.M. Therefore, "Ante Meridian" is the most accurate and accepted interpretation.