The term 'preceding night' can be represented by the crossword solution 'EVE', which is a three-letter word. EVE is a biblical figure from the Book of Genesis, who is traditionally regarded as the first woman created by God. She is also known as the mother of all living, as she is the matriarch of the human race. In the Bible, EVE is said to have been created on the sixth day of creation, and the preceding night would be the fifth day.