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Nocturnally Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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nocturnally

[nɒkˈtɜrnəli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

time of day

Nocturnally refers to actions or behaviors that occur at night. This term is often used in contexts related to animals and their habits, as well as the activities of people during the night.

Synonyms

after dark, at night, nightly.

Examples of usage

  • Many animals hunt nocturnally to avoid daytime predators.
  • Nocturnally, the city comes alive with vibrant nightlife.
  • Some species of birds are known to sing nocturnally during mating season.
  • Nocturnally, the temperatures drop significantly, prompting more animals to seek shelter.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'nocturnally'

The word 'nocturnally' originates from the Latin word 'nocturnalis', which means 'of the night' or 'nightly'. This Latin term is derived from 'nocturnus', meaning 'night', which in turn comes from 'nox', the Latin word for 'night'. The transformation of 'nocturnalis' into English happened during the Middle Ages, as Latin was a dominant language used in scholarly and clerical contexts throughout Europe. The term has been used in English since at least the 17th century to describe various phenomena occurring at night, including the behavior patterns of animals and humans. Over time, it has been integrated into scientific and literary discussions, particularly in ecology and literature, emphasizing the importance of the night period in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,825, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.