Definition of noctiluca in English:
noctiluca
nounPlural noctilucae ˌnɒktɪˈluːkəˌnɑktəˈlukə
A roughly spherical marine dinoflagellate which is strongly phosphorescent, especially when disturbed.
Genus Noctiluca, division (or phylum) Dinophyta
Example sentencesExamples
- Noctiluca are motionless as the flagellum is unable to propel their body through the water: the only movement is found in rotation of vertical position via control of buoyancy in the cell.
- Noctiluca is not photosynthetic.
Origin
Modern Latin, from Latin, literally 'night light, lantern'.
Definition of noctiluca in US English:
noctiluca
nounˌnäktəˈlo͞okəˌnɑktəˈlukə
A roughly spherical marine dinoflagellate which is strongly phosphorescent, especially when disturbed.
Genus Noctiluca, division (or phylum) Dinophyta
Example sentencesExamples
- Noctiluca are motionless as the flagellum is unable to propel their body through the water: the only movement is found in rotation of vertical position via control of buoyancy in the cell.
- Noctiluca is not photosynthetic.
Origin
Modern Latin, from Latin, literally ‘night light, lantern’.