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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Nocturnal \Noc*tur"nal\, adjective [L. nocturnalis, nocturnus, fr. nox, noctis, night. See {Night}, and cf. {Nocturn}.]
1. Of, pertaining to, done or occuring in, the night; as, nocturnal darkness, cries, expedition, etc.; -- opposed to {diurnal}. --Dryden.
2. Having a habit of seeking food or moving about at night; as, nocturnal birds and insects; raccoons are nocturnal.; -- of animals. [1913 Webster +PJC]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Nocturnal \Noc*tur"nal\, noun An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the stars, etc., at sea. --I. Watts.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
nocturnal
adjective
1: belonging to or active during the night; "nocturnal animals are active at night"; "nocturnal plants have flowers that open at night and close by day" [ant: {diurnal}]
2: of or relating to or occurring in the night; "nocturnal darkness"
3: of or during or relating to the night; "a nocturnal journey"; "nocturnal stillness"; "nocturnal predators"
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |