nocturnal

The definition of nocturnal is something that is active or happens during the night.

(adjective)

An example of a nocturnal animal is a bat.

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See nocturnal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. of, done, or happening in the night
  2. functioning or active during the night
  3. having blossoms that open at night, as some flowers

Origin: LME < LL nocturnalis < L nocturnus < nox (gen. noctis), night

Related Forms:

See nocturnal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Of, relating to, or occurring in the night: nocturnal stillness.
  2. Botany Having flowers that open during the night.
  3. Zoology Most active at night: nocturnal animals.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin nocturnālis

Origin: , from Latin nocturnus

Origin: , from nox, noct-, night; see nekw-t- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • noc·turˈnal·ly adverb

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