Evening \E"ven*ing\, n. [AS. [=ae]fnung. See even, n., and cf. Eve.]

1. The latter part and close of the day, and the beginning of darkness or night; properly, the decline of the day, or of the sum.

In the ascending scale Of heaven, the stars that usher evening rose. --Milton.

Note: Sometimes, especially in the Southern parts of the United States, the afternoon is called evening. --Bartlett.

2. The latter portion, as of life; the declining period, as of strength or glory.

Note: Sometimes used adjectively; as, evening gun. ``Evening Prayer.'' --Shak.

Evening flower (Bot.), a genus of iridaceous plants (Hesperantha) from the Cape of Good Hope, with sword-shaped leaves, and sweet-scented flowers which expand in the evening.

Evening grosbeak (Zo["o]l.), an American singing bird (Coccothraustes vespertina) having a very large bill. Its color is olivaceous, with the crown, wings, and tail black, and the under tail coverts yellow. So called because it sings in the evening.

Evening primrose. See under Primrose.

The evening star, the bright star of early evening in the western sky, soon passing below the horizon; specifically, the planet Venus; -- called also Vesper and Hesperus. During portions of the year, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are also evening stars. See Morning Star.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Even \E"ven\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Evened; p. pr. & vb. n. Evening]

1. To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth.

His temple Xerxes evened with the soil. --Sir. W. Raleigh.

It will even all inequalities --Evelyn.

2. To equal [Obs.]

``To even him in valor.'' --Fuller.

3. To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits. --Shak.

4. To set right; to complete.

5. To act up to; to keep pace with. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)