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crepuscular

 
Dictionary: cre·pus·cu·lar   (krĭ-pŭs'kyə-lər) pronunciation
 
adj.
  1. Of or like twilight; dim: “the period's crepuscular charm and a waning of the intense francophilia that used to shape the art market” (Wall Street Journal).
  2. Zoology. Becoming active at twilight or before sunrise, as do bats and certain insects and birds.

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Word Overheard: crepuscular
 

Christopher Hitchens of Slate takes issue with ex-CIA chief George Tenet's new self-exculpatory book, using a word that means "dim, dark, or coming out only at twilight":

"It is a little bit late for him to pose as if Iraq was a threat concocted in some crepuscular corner of the vice president's office."

Link: George Tenet's disgraceful new book. - By Christopher Hitchens - Slate Magazine

Posted May 2, 2007.

 
Veterinary Dictionary: crepuscular
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Active at twilight or just before dawn; said of animals or birds.

 
Obscure Words: crepuscular
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of or relating to twilight: dim
 
Wikipedia: Crepuscular
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Adult Firefly or "Lightning Bug" – a Crepuscular Beetle
Photuris lucicrescens

Crepuscular is a term used to describe some animals that are primarily active during twilight, that is at dawn and at dusk.[1] The word is derived from the Latin word crepusculum, meaning "twilight."[1] Crepuscular is thus in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Crepuscular animals may also be active on a bright moonlit night. Many animals that are casually described as nocturnal are in fact crepuscular.[2] Within the definition of crepuscular are the terms matutinal (or "matinal") and vespertine, denoting species active in the dawn and dusk respectively.

The patterns of activity are thought to be an antipredator adaptation. Many predators forage most intensely at night, while others are active at mid-day and see best in full sun. Thus the crepuscular habit may reduce predation. Additionally, in hot areas, it may be a way of avoiding thermal stress while capitalizing on available light.

Short-eared Owl

Some crepuscular mammals include the Red Panda, cats, dogs, deer, moose, rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, the common mouse, skunks, rats, wombats, quolls and capybaras. Crepuscular birds include the Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, American Woodcock, and Spotted Crake.

Some animals that are extinct were also crepuscular such as the Tasmanian Tiger.

Some species have different habits in the absence of predators. For example, the Short-eared Owl is crepuscular on those of the Galápagos Islands that have buzzard species, but diurnal on those without.

Many moths, beetles, flies, and other insects are crepuscular as well.

References

  1. ^ a b Winn, Philip (2001), Dictionary of Biological Psychology, Taylor & Francis, p. 194, ISBN 0415136067 
  2. ^ [1]
This ecology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

 
Translations: Crepuscular
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Dansk (Danish)
adj. - uklar, tusmørke-, skumrings-

Nederlands (Dutch)
schemerig, actief/ verschijnend gedurende de schemer

Français (French)
adj. - crépusculaire

Deutsch (German)
adj. - dämmerig

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj. - του λυκόφωτος, αποσπερνός

Italiano (Italian)
crepuscolare

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - crepuscular

Русский (Russian)
сумеречный

Español (Spanish)
adj. - crepuscular

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - skymnings-

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
微光的, 拂晓的, 黄昏的

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 微光的, 拂曉的, 黃昏的

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 황혼의, 반 개화의

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 薄明の, たそがれの, 半開化の

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) ما يخص الغسق أو الغروب‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮של דמדומי ערב, מופיע או פעיל לעת הדמדומים (בעל-חיים)‬


 
 

 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Answers Corporation Word Overheard. © 1999-2009 by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved.  Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Obscure Words. © 2008 by Michael A. Fischer http://home.comcast.net/~wwftd Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Crepuscular" Read more
Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.  Read more

 

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