English Explanatory Dictionary

firefly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any beetle of the family Lampyridae, which exhibit bioluminescence during twilight.
name
  1. A locality in the MidCoast council area, eastern New South Wales, Australia.

Pronunciation

/ˈfaɪ.əˌflaɪ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-firefly.wav /ˈfaɪ.ɚˌflaɪ/

Word forms

firefly fireflies fire-fly

Etymology

Endocentric compound of fire + fly, because the insects glow; whence also lightning bug. Compare glow fly, glowworm, and lanternfly.

Synonyms

lightning beetle lightning bug glow fly

Related words

glowworm

Derived words

femme fatale firefly fireflied firefly squid
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