eines Nachts

German

Alternative forms

  • eines Nachtes (uncommon)

Etymology

Constructed in analogy to eines Tages with a neuter or masculine genitive of Nacht. The feminine genitive "einer Nacht" doesn't convey the same adverbial meaning. See Nacht#Usage notes for more.

Adverb

eines Nachts

  1. (higher register) one night
    • 1869, Johannes Butzbach, Chronica eines fahrenden schülers‎[1], G. J. Manz, →OCLC, page 47:
      Er hatte als Kammerdiener einen jungen, wohlgebildeten Menschen, den Alle gar gerne hatten, die in's Haus kamen. Dieser ließ sich von zwei bösen Mitbedienten verleiten, eines Nachts eine Büchse und noch einige andere Gegenstände von geringem Werthe zu entwenden und mit ihnen zu entfliehen, da er einem solchen Despoten nicht fürder mehr dienen wollte.
      As his valet he had a young, well-mannered man who was well-liked by everyone who came to the house. He allowed himself to be persuaded by two wicked fellow servants to steal a rifle and some other items of little value one night and flee with them, as he no longer wished to serve such a despot.

See also

Further reading

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