luciferin

American  

[loo-sif-er-in] / luˈsɪf ər ɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a pigment occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as fireflies, that emits light when undergoing oxidation.

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luciferin British  

/ luːˈsɪfərɪn /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of luciferin

First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin lūcifer ( see Lucifer) + -in ²