Emily Dickinson Lexicon

NIGHT'IN-GALE, n. [Sax. nihtegale; Sw. nachtergal; D. negtegaal; G. nachtigall; Dan. nattergal; composed of night and Sax. galan, to sing.]

1. A small bird that sings at night, of the genus Motacilla; Philomela or Philomel. Shak. Waller.
2. A word of endearment. Shak.