Main Entry:

noc·tur·nal

Pronunciation:

\näk-ˈtər-n^əl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French nocturnel, from Late Latin nocturnalis, from Latin nocturnus of night, nocturnal, from noct-, nox night

Date:

15th century

1 : of, relating to, or occurring in the night <a nocturnal journey> 2 : active at night <a nocturnal predator>

— noc·tur·nal·ly \-n^əl-ē\ adverb