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.
Jerry led the way, and with a night key opened the door to the kitchen.
From The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview by Bonehill, Ralph
The old switchman lends me his night key.
From Bart Stirling's Road to Success Or, The Young Express Agent by Chapman, Allen
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
It was a mistake of his wife to allow Peter Junior a night key.
From The Eye of Dread by Erskine, Payne
Cornelius opened the door with a night key, and bade Herbert follow.
From Herbert Carter's Legacy by Alger, Horatio
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.
