luciferin
[ loo-sif-er-in ]
/ luˈsɪf ər ɪn /
noun Biochemistry.
a pigment occurring in luminescent organisms, as fireflies, that emits light when undergoing oxidation.
Words nearby luciferin
lucid,
lucida,
lucidity,
lucifer,
lucifer match,
luciferin,
luciferous,
lucifugal,
lucifugous,
lucilius,
lucille
Example sentences from the Web for luciferin
Luciferin will also oxidize in the air spontaneously but no light is produced.
The Nature of Animal Light |E. Newton Harvey
British Dictionary definitions for luciferin
luciferin
/ (luːˈsɪfərɪn) /
noun
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
Word Origin for luciferin
C20: from Latin
lucifer (literally: light-bearer) +
-in