night
UK: naɪt | US: naɪt
n. the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
n. the time after evening and before morning
n. (figurative) a period of gloom, ignorance, or obscurity
The word "night" traces back to Old English niht, which shares roots with Proto-Germanic nahts and Proto-Indo-European nókʷts. This ancient root is remarkably consistent across languages (e.g., Latin nox, Greek nyx, Sanskrit nakta), reflecting a universal concept tied to the natural cycle of darkness. The word’s simplicity and lack of segmentation highlight its primal, unchanging role in human experience.
The stars shine brightly at night.
She works night shifts at the hospital.
They stayed up all night talking.
The forest is eerie at night.
The project was a long night of hard work.