luciferin

lu·cif·er·in

L l

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [loo-sif-er-in]
- /luˈsɪf ər ɪn/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [loo-sif-er-in]
- /luˈsɪf ər ɪn/

Definitions of luciferin word

noun luciferin a pigment occurring in luminescent organisms, as fireflies, that emits light when undergoing oxidation. 1
noun luciferin (biochemistry) Any of a class of polycyclic heterocycles that are responsible for the bioluminescence of fireflies, being converted to oxyluciferin by luciferase in the process. 1
noun luciferin 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 0
noun luciferin a substance in luminescent organisms, as fireflies, that produces light by combining with oxygen in the presence of luciferase 0

See all 4 definitions of luciferin

Information block about the term

Origin of luciferin

First appearance:

before 1885

One of the 21% newest English words

1885-90; < Latin lūcifer (see Lucifer) + -in2

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Luciferin

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Luciferin

luciferin popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 62% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 55% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

luciferin usage trend in Literature

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