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Noun: firefly  'fI(-u)r,flI
  1. Nocturnal beetle common in warm regions having luminescent abdominal organs
    "Children love chasing fireflies on summer evenings";
    - lightning bug [N. Amer]
     
  2. Tropical American click beetle having bright luminous spots
    "The firefly's light flickered in the darkness";
    - fire beetle, Pyrophorus noctiluca

Derived forms: fireflies

Type of: beetle, elater, elaterid, elaterid beetle

Part of: family Lampyridae, genus Pyrophorus, Lampyridae, Pyrophorus

Encyclopedia: Firefly