nyctinasty

/ ˈnɪktɪˌnæstɪ /

noun

1. botany a nastic movement, such as the closing of petals, that occurs in response to the alternation of day and night

Derived Forms

• ˌnyctiˈnastic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nyctinasty¹

C20: from Greek nukt-, nux night + -nasty