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Definition of per diem - 8 dictionary results
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per di⋅em

  [per dee-uhm, dahy-uhm]
Use per diem in a Sentence
–noun
1. by the day; for each day.
2. a daily allowance, usually for living expenses while traveling in connection with one's work or being employed at a distance from one's home: a per diem for lawmakers while the legislature is in session.
3. paid by the day.
Origin:
1510–20; < L
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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per di·em   (pər dē'əm, dī'əm)   
adv.  By the day; per day.
adj.  
  1. Reckoned on a daily basis; daily.
  2. Paid by the day.
n.   pl. per diems
An allowance for daily expenses.

[Latin : per, per + diem, accusative of diēs, day.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Per diem

Per di"em\ [L.] By the day; substantively (chiefly U. S.), an allowance or amount of so much by the day.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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per diem [(puhr dee-uhm, deye-uhm)]

A Latin phrase meaning “by the day.” Traveling sales reps or government workers often are paid a per diem, meaning an allowance out of which to cover daily expenses while traveling.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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per diem 
1520, from L., lit. "by the day," from per (see per) + diem, acc. sing. of dies "day" (see diurnal).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: per di·em
Pronunciation: p&r-'dE-&m, -'dI-
Function: adverb
Etymology: Latin
: by the day : for each day per diem>

Main Entry: per diem
Function: adjective
1 : based on use or service by the day <per diem compensation>
2 : paid or calculated by the day <per diem interest>

Main Entry: per diem
Function: noun
1 : a daily allowance per diem for expenses>
2 : a daily fee per diem for maintenance of the equipment>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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