noun, noun, used as a suffix
growing late; latening
Used as a noun or suffix to indicate that it is getting late, especially at night. Often appears in the phrase 夜の更け (the lateness of the night) or as a suffix in words like 夜更け (late at night).
夜の更けとともに、街は静かになった。
As the night grew late, the town became quiet.
夜更けまで仕事をしていた。
I worked until late at night.
Derived from the verb 更ける (ふける, 'to grow late'). The noun form 更け is used to express the state of lateness, especially of the night.