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.
Taking out your night key, you thrust it into the lock.
From The Golden Slipper : and other problems for Violet Strange by Green, Anna Katharine
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
Jerry led the way, and with a night key opened the door to the kitchen.
From The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview by Bonehill, Ralph
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
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
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.
