subs. phr. (old).—Dusk. Hence, TO WALK BY OWL-LIGHT = to skulk from arrest. Fr. Entre chien et loup.

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  1610.  Letter [quoted by NARES]. Ned Wimarke appears not in Paul’s, but ever since before Christmas hath taken a toy to keep in, saving that now and then he STEALS OUT BY OWL-LIGHT to the Star and to the Windmill.

2

  1625.  MASSINGER, The Parliament of Love, ii. 1.

                            To have it order’d,
All women that have stumbled in the dark,
Or given, by OWL-LIGHT, favours, should complain,
Is most intolerable.

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  1675.  COTTON, Burlesque upon Burlesque: or, The Scoffer Scofft [Works (1725) 207].

                    A great-design
He has, that won’t endure the Sun,
But is by OWL-LIGHT to be done.

4

  1767.  RAY, Proverbs [BOHN], 57, s.v.

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