nocturne

nocturnal, nighttime

adjective nok-TOORN Rare

Origin: From Latin 'nocturnus' (of the night).

Also means

nocturne (music)

Usage Note

Nocturne is both adjective and noun. As an adjective it is invariable in gender (une promenade nocturne, un animal nocturne). As a noun it denotes a dreamlike piano piece (as in Chopin's nocturnes) or an after-hours event (visite nocturne — a nighttime museum visit).

Examples

"Les animaux nocturnes chassent la nuit."

Natural Translation

Nocturnal animals hunt at night.

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