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noctiluca
[ nok-tuh-loo-kuh ]
/ ˌnɒk təˈlu kə /
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noun, plural noc·ti·lu·cae [nok-tuh-loo-see]. /ˌnɒk təˈlu si/.
a dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca, capable of producing light and, in groups, of causing a luminous appearance of the sea.
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Origin of noctiluca
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, adjectiveWords nearby noctiluca
no-count, noct-, noctambulism, noctambulous, nocti-, noctiluca, noctilucent, noctis, noctograph, noctuid, noctule
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use noctiluca in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for noctiluca
noctiluca
/ (ˌnɒktɪˈluːkə) /
noun plural -cae (-siː)
any bioluminescent marine dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca
Word Origin for noctiluca
C17: from Latin, from nox night + lūcēre to shine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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