sunset

(-set′)

noun

    1. the daily disappearance of the sun below the western horizon
    2. the varying time of this
    3. the atmospheric phenomena at this time; esp., the color of the western sky at sunset
  1. the final phase or decline (of a period)

Origin: ME sunne set, sonsette: see sunrise

adjective

  1. ☆ designating or of a law, bill, etc. requiring that certain government agencies, programs, etc. come to an end after a specified period unless they get legislative approval again
  2. designating an industry that is in a final state of decline, as because of a diminished use of its products or an inability to meet foreign competition

See sunset in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The event or time of the daily disappearance of the sun below the western horizon.
  2. A decline or final phase: the sunset of an empire.
adjective
Providing for the automatic termination of a government program or agency unless deliberately reauthorized by law: a state-funded program with a sunset provision.

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