朝あさまだき

noun, adverb

early morning before dawn

Archaic word for the time just before daybreak. Found in classical literature and poetry; not used in modern everyday speech.

• 朝あさまだき、まだ暗くらいうちに旅たび立だった。

  In the early morning, while it was still dark, I set out on my journey.

• 古こ典てんの和わ歌かには「朝あさまだき」という言こと葉ばがよく出でてくる。

  The word 'asamadaki' often appears in classical waka poetry.