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What is nocturnal?

nocturnal

 [nok-tur-nl]   Example Sentences Origin

noc·tur·nal

   [nok-tur-nl]
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to the night (opposed to diurnal).
2.
done, occurring, or coming at night: nocturnal visit.
3.
active at night (opposed to diurnal): nocturnal animals.
4.
opening by night and closing by day, as certain flowers (opposed to diurnal).
noun
5.
Archaic. an astrolabe for telling time at night or for determining latitude by the position of certain stars in reference to Polaris.

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willfully determined or disposed to go counter to what is expected or desired; contrary
to form a legal corporation, or to unite or combine so as to form one body
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Origin:
1475–85; < Late Latin nocturnālis. See nocturn, -al1

Related forms
noc·tur·nal·i·ty, noun
noc·tur·nal·ly, adverb
non·noc·tur·nal, adjective
non·noc·tur·nal·ly, adverb
sem·i·noc·tur·nal, adjective
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un·noc·tur·nal, adjective
un·noc·tur·nal·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE

Can be confused: diurnal, nocturnal.

Synonyms
2. nighttime.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To nocturnal
Example Sentences
  • The illustrations are a blend of realism and fantasy, and set the mood for this nocturnal caper.
  • If only I were still a nocturnal creature.
  • Being nocturnal, flying squirrels must have good eyesight, he said.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
nocturnal (nɒkˈtɜːnəl)
 
—adj
1.  of, used during, occurring in, or relating to the night
2.  (of animals) active at night
3.  (of plants) having flowers that open at night and close by day
 
[C15: from Late Latin nocturnālis, from Latin nox night]
 
noctur'nality
 
—n
 
noc'turnally
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

nocturnal
1485, from M.Fr. nocturnal, from L.L. nocturnalis, from L. nocturnus "belonging to the night," from nox (gen. noctis) "night," cognate with O.E. neaht (see night) + -urnus, suffix forming adjectives of time. Nocturnal emission "involuntary ejaculation during sleep" first recorded 1821.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

nocturnal noc·tur·nal (nŏk-tûr'nəl)
adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or occurring in the night.

  2. Most active at night.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
nocturnal   (nŏk-tûr'nəl)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Occurring at night.

  2. Most active at night. Many animals, such as owls and bats, are nocturnal.

  3. Having flowers that open during the night and close at daylight. Nocturnal plants are often pollinated by moths. Compare diurnal.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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