eve

 
Pronunciation: /iːv/

noun

  • the day or period of time immediately before an event or occasion: on the eve of her departure he gave her a little parcel
  • the evening or day before a religious festival: the service for Passover eve
  • chiefly literary evening: a bitter winter’s eve

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'close of day'): short form of even2