firefly
/ˈfaɪ.əˌflaɪ/ · noun
Meaning
- Any beetle of the family Lampyridae, which exhibit bioluminescence during twilight.
- A locality in the MidCoast council area, eastern New South Wales, Australia.
Etymology / origin
Endocentric compound of fire + fly, because the insects glow; whence also lightning bug. Compare glow fly, glowworm, and lanternfly. Compare typologically Ancient Greek λαμπυρίς (lampurís, “glowworm”) (<+ πῦρ (pûr)).
Related words
Descendant words
- mouche à feu(French) (calque)
Sources
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