noctiluca Hear it!

noctiluca Definition

nocti·luca (näk′tə lo̵̅o̅′kə)

noun

any of a genus (Noctiluca) of large, spherical, reddish, luminescent dinoflagellates that often occur in vast numbers in the sea, causing the water to glow at night

Etymology: ModL < L, something that shines at night < nox (gen. noctis), night + lucere, to shine < lux, light

noctiluca Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • ).: A notable beetle inhabitant is the Glow-worm ( Lampyris noctiluca ). Most of the Glow-worm's life is spent in the larval stage.

Browse dictionary entries near noctiluca

  1. ‹ nocti-
  2. ‹ noctambulist
  3. ‹ noctambulism
  4. ‹ noctambulation
  5. ‹ noct-
  6. ‹ nock
  7. ‹ nociceptive
  8. ‹ nocent
  9. ‹ NOC
  10. ‹ nobody
  1. noctilucent ›
  2. noctuid ›
  3. noctule ›
  4. nocturn ›
  5. nocturnal ›
  6. nocturnal emission ›
  7. nocturnally ›
  8. nocturne ›
  9. nocuous ›
  10. nocuously ›