"Night" is the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise, while "nightfall" is the event or time when night begins, essentially when it gets dark.
To break it down further:
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Night: This refers to the entire duration of darkness. It's a broad period of time. You can say, "I slept through the night," meaning you slept during the entire dark period.
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Nightfall: This refers to the transition from daylight to darkness. It signifies the onset of night. You might say, "Nightfall came quickly because of the storm clouds," indicating the sudden darkening.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Night | Nightfall |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Period of darkness. | Event of darkness beginning; dusk. |
| Nature | Duration/Period | Moment/Event |
| Usage | "I slept through the night." | "Nightfall arrived quickly." |
| Association | Associated with all the hours of dark. | Associated with the beginning of dark. |
Essentially, nightfall marks the beginning of night. Night is the entire dark period.
