Pronunciation: [ba͡ɪ nˈa͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The phrase "by night" is spelled exactly as it sounds, with no silent letters or unusual spellings. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /baɪ naɪt/. The "by" is pronounced like the word "buy" with a long "i" sound, and the "night" is pronounced with a long "i" sound as well, with the "gh" being silent. This phrase is commonly used to describe activities or events that occur during nighttime hours.
"By night" refers to the period of time between sunset and sunrise; during the hours of darkness and when it is typically dark outside. This phrase is often used to describe activities, events, or situations that take place specifically during the nighttime hours.
The term "by night" is derived from the combination of the preposition "by," indicating the time or manner in which something occurs, and the noun "night," denoting the period of darkness in a day. It signifies that the mentioned activities or events occur or are carried out during the night, as opposed to daytime hours.
The expression "by night" has been widely adopted in various contexts. It is frequently found in literature, poetry, and music to evoke a sense of mystery, secrecy, or romance associated with the nocturnal environment. Additionally, it is commonly used to describe nocturnal animals, nocturnal shifts of work, or activities undertaken after the usual hours of business or in the absence of daylight.
Overall, the term "by night" serves as a time marker, highlighting actions or occurrences that are limited to or particularly relevant within the nighttime period, allowing for a clear distinction between day and night activities.
The phrase "by night" is derived from Old English and ultimately has its roots in Proto-Germanic. Here is a breakdown of its etymology:
1. Old English: In Old English, the phrase "by night" was expressed as "be nihte" or "on niht". The word "be" meant "by" or "near", and "nihte" or "niht" meant "night".
2. Proto-Germanic: The Old English word "niht" traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "*nakhts". This term had the same meaning of "night" and can be found in various Germanic languages like Old Norse "natt" and Old High German "naht".
