evening

n. [ AS. &aemacr_;fnung. See even, n., and cf. Eve. ] 1. The latter part and close of the day, and the beginning of darkness or night; properly, the decline of the day, or of the sun. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the ascending scale
Of heaven, the stars that usher evening rose. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sometimes, especially in the Southern parts of the United States, the afternoon is called evening. Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The latter portion, as of life; the declining period, as of strength or glory. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Sometimes used adjectively; as, evening gun. “Evening Prayer.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evening flower (Bot.), a genus of iridaceous plants (Hesperantha) from the Cape of Good Hope, with sword-shaped leaves, and sweet-scented flowers which expand in the evening. --
Evening grosbeak (Zoöl.), an American singing bird (Coccothraustes vespertina) having a very large bill. Its color is olivaceous, with the crown, wings, and tail black, and the under tail coverts yellow. So called because it sings in the evening. --
Evening primrose. See under Primrose. --
The evening star, the bright star of early evening in the western sky, soon passing below the horizon; specifically, the planet Venus; -- called also Vesper and Hesperus. During portions of the year, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are also evening stars. See Morning Star. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a small dressy handbag, richly decorated, carried by women for formal occasions in the evening. [ PJC ]

n. small California annual (Linanthus dichotomus) with white flowers.
Syn. -- evening snow, Linanthus dichotomus. [ WordNet 1.5 ]