firefly

Pronunciation: /ˈfaɪ.ɚˌflaɪ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun tropical American click beetle having bright luminous spots
  2. noun nocturnal beetle common in warm regions having luminescent abdominal organs

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Synonyms

fire beetle, Pyrophorus noctiluca

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
elaterid beetle

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