English edit

Etymology edit

From Latin diurnālis, from diēs (day). Doublet of journal.

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

diurnal (comparative more diurnal, superlative most diurnal)

  1. Happening or occurring during daylight, or primarily active during that time.
    Most birds are diurnal.
    • 1972, Laurence Monroe Klauber, Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind, Volume 1[1]:
      However, in general, lizards are more diurnal than rattlers, which may be one of the reasons why young rattlers are more diurnal than adults.
    • c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v]:
      Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring / Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring.
  2. (botany) Said of a flower open, or releasing its perfume during daylight hours, but not at night.
  3. Having a daily cycle that is completed every 24 hours, usually referring to tasks, processes, tides, or sunrise to sunset; circadian.
  4. (uncommon) Done once every day; daily, quotidian.
  5. (archaic) Published daily.

Quotations edit

Synonyms edit

Antonyms edit

Coordinate terms edit

  • (active or open during the day): crepuscular (active during twilight; dawn or dusk)
  • (active or open during the day): matutinal (active during dawn)
  • (active or open during the day): vespertine (active during dusk)
  • (active or open during the day): diel (having a 24-hour period, regardless of day or night)

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun edit

diurnal (plural diurnals)

  1. A flower that opens only in the day.
  2. (Catholicism) A book containing canonical offices performed during the day, hence not matins.
  3. (archaic) A diary or journal.
    • 1663, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, part 1, canto 2:
      He was by birth, some authors write, / A Russian, some a Muscovite, / And 'mong the Cossacks had been bred, / Of whom we in diurnals read.
  4. (archaic) A daily news publication.

Translations edit

French edit

Noun edit

diurnal m (plural diurnaux)

  1. diurnal (book)

Further reading edit

Romanian edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from French diurnal or Latin diurnalis.

Adjective edit

diurnal m or n (feminine singular diurnală, masculine plural diurnali, feminine and neuter plural diurnale)

  1. diurnal

Declension edit

Noun edit

diurnal n (plural diurnale)

  1. diurnal

Declension edit