eve1
/iːv
/noun
1The day or period of time immediately before an event or occasion: on the eve of her departure he gave her a little parcel...
- The Programme Officer also gave away prizes and awards to those who stood out in various sports events held on the eve of the World Disabled Day.
- On the eve of the event, inspired by childhood visits to the famous Levens Hall in Cumbria, Boston began cutting them into pairs of orbs and crosses and crowns.
- I have heard other stories about weddings being ruined because the dress or cake firm or indeed the reception venue imploded on the eve of the happy event.
Synonyms
day before, evening before, night before;
period before, the run-up to
1.1The evening or day before a religious festival: the service for Passover eve...
- Traditionally the kulich is taken to be blessed at midnight mass on the eve of Easter Sunday.
- On the Sabbath's eve the body was taken down, as the Law required, and was buried.
- These are sometimes lit in churches on the eve of Easter Sunday.
1.2chiefly literary Evening: a bitter winter’s eve...
- It was a blustery winter eve, the sun was sinking into slumber and in the town square, settlers were gathering for a meeting.
- While probably not worthy of a full purchase, I certainly would recommend this as a rental on a chilly winter eve.
Synonyms
evening, night, late afternoon, end of day, close of day;
twilight, dusk, nightfall, sunset, sundown
literary even, eventide, evenfall, gloaming
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'close of day'): short form of even2.
Rhymes
Eve2
/iːv/(In the Bible) the first woman, companion of Adam and mother of Cain and Abel.