night key
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of night key
An Americanism dating back to 1830–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was late when he reached home, and with his night key he went in quietly, because he did not want to awaken her.
From The Courage of Marge O'Doone by Ralph, Lester
Willy Cameron came home from a night class in metallurgy the evening after the day Lily had made her declaration of independence, and let himself in with his night key.
From A Poor Wise Man by Rinehart, Mary Roberts
Shortly after parting with Wise, the great government special, Oscar went on to the street, and proceeding up town entered a very respectable-looking house which he entered with a night key.
From Cad Metti, The Female Detective Strategist Dudie Dunne Again in the Field by Halsey, Harlan Page
Cornelius opened the door with a night key, and bade Herbert follow.
From Herbert Carter's Legacy by Alger, Horatio
It was a mistake of his wife to allow Peter Junior a night key.
From The Eye of Dread by Erskine, Payne
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
