a-nights, adv. arch.
(əˈnaɪts)
[coalescence of the two OE. forms on niht (see a-night), and nihtes advb. gen. (cf. Where do you go of a night?), both = L. noctu. Thus simply = a-night, though the -s has often been taken as a plural sign, and has tended to give a more habitual sense.]
| [918 O.E. Chron., Þa bestælon hie hie þeah nihtes. a 1250 Owl & Night. 219 Þu singest a niht. Ibid. 238 Þu flihst nihtes.] c 1440 Gesta Rom. 61 The lady a-roose on nyghtes [v.r. rose a-nyghtes] for to here his songe. 1577 Test. 12 Patriarchs 72 Leachery and covetousness..walk abroad as well a nights as of days. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. i. ii. 193 Sleeke-headed men, and such as sleepe a-nights. 1647 R. Stapylton Juvenal 104 They lodged a-nights in hollow trees. 1673 Shadwell Epsom Wells ii. Wks. III. 221 To sit up a-nights late. 1838 H. C. Robinson Diary III. 152 She used to go out a-nights with her face hid up in her cloak. |