Nocturnal

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Nocturnal \Noc*tur"nal\, a. [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.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     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.0.48 [gcide]:

  Nocturnal \Noc*tur"nal\, n.
     An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the
     stars, etc., at sea. --I. Watts.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  nocturnal
       adj 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"