noctiluca

[ nok-tuh-loo-kuh ]

noun

, plural noc·ti·lu·cae [nok-t, uh, -, loo, -see].

1. a dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca, capable of producing light and, in groups, of causing a luminous appearance of the sea.

noctiluca

/ ˌnɒktɪˈluːkə /

noun

1. any bioluminescent marine dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca

Other Words From

• nocti·lucan adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of noctiluca¹

1670–80; < New Latin; Latin noctilūca shiner by night, equivalent to nocti- nocti- + -lūca shiner, derivative of lūcēre to shine

Word History and Origins

Origin of noctiluca¹

C17: from Latin, from nox night + lūcēre to shine

Example Sentences

Of the insects thus singularly provided, the common Glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca) is the most familiar instance.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably the Noctiluca is not rivalled in this respect even by miscroscopic unicellular alg which compose the "red snow."

From Project Gutenberg

Both in its nature and immature forms, Lampyris noctiluca plays a useful part in the economy of Nature.

From Project Gutenberg

I do not see how they could be the L. noctiluca, as he states.

From Project Gutenberg

Ray first pointed out this fact with respect to L. noctiluca.

From Project Gutenberg