\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}.