adj.
Pronunciation: näk- ' t ə r-n ə l
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 ə l- ē \ adverb