diurnal

diurnal Definition

di·ur·nal (dī ʉr′nəl)

adjective

occurring each day; daily
of, done, or happening in the daytime
1. Bot. opening in the daytime and closing at night: said of a flower
2. Zool. active in the daytime

Etymology: ME < L diurnalis < diurnus, daily < dies, day: see deity

noun

Archaic a daily newspaper
Eccles. a service book containing prayers for the daytime canonical hours and for compline

diurnal Related Forms

di·ur′·nally adverb

diurnal Synonyms

modif.

during the day, daytime, once a day, every day; see daily, regular 3.

diurnal Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

regular: The regular diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle variations were then removed from the data by substracting from these the quiet standard value.

Modifies a noun

raptor: The last group in the diurnal raptors is the true falcons.
aberration: The transformation from apparent to topocentric consists of allowing for diurnal aberration.
variation: These diurnal variations cease to be sensible at a depth of 2 or 3 meters.
rhythm: The difference between these measures cannot be explained by an altered timing of the diurnal rhythm.
variability: It could be the diurnal variability of solar input, or the annual or seasonal variation of heating.
tide: The wave like structure is caused by the diurnal tide.

Modifying Another Word

mainly: Mainly diurnal, with a maximum lifespan of 18 months.
predominantly: They are predominantly diurnal ( daytime ) and feed on a variety of heathland plants.

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