noctiluca

[ nok-tuh-loo-kuh ]

/ ˌnɒk təˈlu kə /

a dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca, capable of producing light and, in groups, of causing a luminous appearance of the sea.

Origin of noctiluca

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

noc·ti·lu·can, adjective

Noctiluca flashes on stimulation of any kind, even the slightest agitation causing a brilliant emission of light.

The Nature of Animal Light |E. Newton Harvey
Two new individuals are thus formed, and each Noctiluca has absorbed half of the other.

The Drama of Love and Death |Edward Carpenter
Noctiluca miliaris, acted upon by iodine solution, showing the protoplasm shrunk away from the structureless pellicle.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 |Various
Probably the Noctiluca is not rivalled in this respect even by miscroscopic unicellular alg which compose the "red snow."

Young Folks' Library, Volume XI (of 20) |Various

Both in its nature and immature forms, Lampyris noctiluca plays a useful part in the economy of Nature.

Poachers and Poaching |John Watson

noctiluca

/ (ˌnɒktɪˈluːkə) /

any bioluminescent marine dinoflagellate of the genus Noctiluca

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