TWILIGHT

 
For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of Summer Solstice—the longest day of the year—which occurred this year on June 20, this edition focuses on the definition of TWILIGHT*.


TWILIGHT (noun)—the period of time when the sun is below the horizon but its light is visible, a phenomenon occurring between sunset and dusk, as well as between dawn and sunrise.

Note, however, that in common usage, TWILIGHT typically refers only to evening time. Note too that TWILIGHT is often used figuratively (see below).


SAMPLE SENTENCES:

“In the twilight of the morning light seems active, darkness passive; in the twilight of evening it is the darkness which is active and crescent, and the light which is the drowsy reverse.”  [from Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy]

“As an historical document, this movie (The Typewriter, The Rifle, and the Movie Camera—1996) is invaluable, offering a great filmmaker in the twilight of his life (Samuel Fuller died in 1997) an opportunity to reflect on his life and films.”  [from a review by Peter Tonguette]


*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight



For more about synonyms and other tips for international speakers of English, check : 

http://www.galau.com/guRu.html