舊時(shí)晚上八時(shí)左右，打鼓報(bào)告初更開始，稱為“定更”?！毒G野仙蹤》卷五：“ 蕭麻子 道：‘用不著你我，只用到定更時(shí)候，那一只眼兒的光頭老先生出來，只他用點(diǎn)頭晃腦幾下，強(qiáng)似我作合數(shù)倍?！薄逗缅蟼鳌返谑换兀骸凹s他今晚定更時(shí)分，在后花園門口一會(huì)?！?陳登科 《赤龍與丹鳳》八：“已到定更時(shí)分了， 紀(jì)懷仁 走進(jìn)屋來?！?/p>

1.beat the first watch at 8. p.m. indicating the beginnig of the five two-hour periods into which the night was formerly divided （晚八時(shí)左右打鼓報(bào)告初更開始）