noctiluca

[ nok-tuh-loo-kuh ]
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noun,plural noc·ti·lu·cae [nok-tuh-loo-see]. /ˌnɒk təˈlu si/.
  1. a dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca, capable of producing light and, in groups, of causing a luminous appearance of the sea.

Origin of noctiluca

1
1670–80; <New Latin; Latin noctilūca shiner by night, equivalent to nocti-nocti- + -lūca shiner, derivative of lūcēre to shine

Other words from noctiluca

  • noc·ti·lu·can, adjective

Words Nearby noctiluca

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British Dictionary definitions for noctiluca

noctiluca

/ (ˌnɒktɪˈluːkə) /


nounplural -cae (-siː)
  1. any bioluminescent marine dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca

Origin of noctiluca

1
C17: from Latin, from nox night + lūcēre to shine

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