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I would like to know if there is a single-word hypernym for day, month, week and year.

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Have you checked past questions on ELU? And elsewhere, esp., online? –  Kris Dec 24 '12 at 14:44
Yes I have checked –  271 Dec 24 '12 at 14:46
Er... interval? Duration? –  Andrew Leach Dec 24 '12 at 14:53
Time interval (may be, although it's 2 words), duration - aswers the question how long, I am looking for something that answers the question when –  271 Dec 24 '12 at 14:57
But "day", "month", "week" or "year" do not answer the question "When?" –  Andrew Leach Dec 24 '12 at 15:02

2 Answers 2

up vote 5 down vote accepted

Time period is general enough:

time period n. an amount of time

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I thought of this one, just wasn't sure enough. Thanks –  271 Dec 24 '12 at 15:08

Their hypernym would be based in their singular aspect of similarity — into what set can they all fit. So words like time and span (or even time span) would do the trick assuming you mean a duration. If you mean a specific period then try, um, period.

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Timespan is often spelled without the offending period: dictionary.reference.com/browse/timespan –  Wayfaring Stranger Dec 24 '12 at 15:17
@WayfaringStranger Time-span is only, ever, and always spelt without any offending period. However, it is oft spelled with a graceful hyphen. –  tchrist Dec 24 '12 at 15:24
@tchrist Oops, meant offending space, which would make it two words. –  Wayfaring Stranger Dec 24 '12 at 15:29

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