Main Entry:

¹di·ur·nal

Pronunciation:

\dī-ˈər-n^əl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin diurnalis — more at journal

Date:

14th century

1 a: recurring every day <diurnal tasks> b: having a daily cycle <diurnal tides>2 a: of, relating to, or occurring in the daytime <the city's diurnal noises> b: active chiefly in the daytime <diurnal animals> c: opening during the day and closing at night <diurnal flowers>

— di·ur·nal·ly \-n^əl-ē\ adverb