luciferin

[loo-sif-er-in]

noun Biochemistry.

a pigment occurring in luminescent organisms, as fireflies, that emits light when undergoing oxidation.

Origin of luciferin

1885–90; < Latin lūcifer (see Lucifer) + -in²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for luciferin

Historical Examples of luciferin

Luciferin will also oxidize in the air spontaneously but no light is produced.
The Nature of Animal Light
E. Newton Harvey

British Dictionary definitions for luciferin

luciferin

noun

biochem a substance occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as glow-worms and fireflies. It undergoes an enzyme-catalysed oxidation and emits light on decaying to its ground state

Word Origin for luciferin

C20: from Latin lucifer (literally: light-bearer) + -in

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012