night raven

noun

1. a bird that cries in the night.

night raven

noun

1. poetic.
   any bird, esp the night heron, that is most active at night

Word History and Origins

Origin of night raven¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English nihthræfn, næhthræfn.

Example Sentences

Willughby thought that the so-called night-raven was the bittern.

From Project Gutenberg

I had as lief have heard the night-raven, come what plague could have come after it.

From Project Gutenberg

By 'raven,' the poet probably meant the night-raven, of which he had already spoken in Much Ado, ii.

From Project Gutenberg

In some parts both of England and Ireland it is known as the Night-raven, and under that title is held in the greatest fear.

From Project Gutenberg

Benedick observes to himself: I had as lief have heard the night-raven, come what plague could have come after it.

From Project Gutenberg