eveningE'VENING, n. [See Eve, Even.] The latter part and close of the day, and the beginning of darkness or night; properly the decline or fall of the day, or of the sun. The precise time when evening begins, or when it ends, is not ascertained by usage. The word often includes a part at least of the afternoon, and indeed the whole afternoon; as in the phrase, "The morning and evening service of the sabbath." In strictness, evening commences at the setting of the sun, and continues during twilight, and night commences with total darkness. But in customary language, the evening extends to bed-time, whatever that time may be. Hence we say, to spend an evening with a friend; an evening visit. E'VENING, a. Being at the close of day; as the evening sacrifice. |