night key

noun

1. a key for a night latch.

Word History and Origins

Origin of night key¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Now in its fifth season, which will have its premiere on Wednesday night, “Key & Peele” has experienced a shift in tone and volume.

From New York Times

Having watched the “rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air” through a rainy night, Key was cheered to see, at dawn’s light, an American flag, with 15 stars and stripes, flying boldly above the fort.

From New York Times

Even the Mackerel brass-band begins to grow feeble, often making pitiable attempts to execute stirring strains on his night key bugle, as though unconscious that by long disuse in his pocket it had become clogged with bread and cheese.

From Project Gutenberg

Nowhere does he steal anything, but always leaves a note signed "Night Key," reading: "What I create I can destroy."

From Time Magazine Archive

Mrs. Nesbit glanced at her husband furtively and caught his grin as he piped gayly: “Who also must carry the night key!” 71The three laughed but the daughter went on with the cataloguing: “He is a young man of strong predilections, of definite purpose and more than ordinary intellectual capacity.”

From Project Gutenberg