Definition of "diurnal"

diurnal

/daɪˈɜːnəl/

adjective
comparative more diurnal, superlative most diurnal
1. Happening or occurring during daylight, or primarily active during that time.
  Quotations
  However, in general, lizards are more diurnal than rattlers, which may be one of the reasons why young rattlers are more diurnal than adults.
  1972, Laurence Monroe Klauber, Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind, Volume 1‎
  Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring / Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring.
  c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene v]
2. (botany) Said of a flower open, or releasing its perfume during daylight hours, but not at night.
3. Having a daily cycle that is completed every 24 hours, usually referring to tasks, processes, tides, or sunrise to sunset; circadian.
4. (uncommon) Done once every day; daily, quotidian.
5. (archaic) Published daily.
noun
plural diurnals
1. A flower that opens only in the day.
2. (Catholicism) A book containing canonical offices performed during the day, hence not matins.
3. (archaic) A diary or journal.
  Quotations
  He was by birth, some authors write, / A Russian, some a Muscovite, / And 'mong the Cossacks had been bred, / Of whom we in diurnals read.
  1663, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, part 1, canto 2
4. (archaic) A daily news publication.

Definition of "diurnal"

diurnal

adjective

Quotations

noun

Quotations