noctule

[nok-chool]

noun

a large reddish insectivorous bat, Nyctalus noctula, common to Europe and Asia.

Origin of noctule

1765–75; < French < Italian nottola a bat, owl ≪ Latin noctua night owl. See noctuid, -ule

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Examples from the Web for noctule

Historical Examples of noctule

I could climb your chestnut if I cared to, noctule, and eat the colony.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"
Douglas English
The Serotine and the Noctule are our two largest Bats, and in the early records they were very much confused.
Animal Life of the British Isles
Edward Step

British Dictionary definitions for noctule

noctule

noun

any of several large Old World insectivorous bats of the genus Nyctalus, esp N. noctula: family Vespertilionidae

Word Origin for noctule

C18: probably from Late Latin noctula small owl, from Latin noctua night owl

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