Nocturnal

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Nocturnal

Nocturnal (/nɒkˈtɜːrnəl/; from the Latin nocturnus, "of the night") refers to behaviors, activities, or organisms that are active or occur during the night, as opposed to during the day. This term is most commonly used in the field of biology to describe animals that are most active during the night, such as bats and owls. However, it can also be applied to other fields, such as medicine, where it can refer to conditions that worsen or only occur at night.

Etymology

The term "nocturnal" comes from the Latin nocturnus, which means "of the night". This, in turn, is derived from nox, the Latin word for "night".

Related Terms

  • Diurnal: The opposite of nocturnal, referring to organisms or activities that occur during the day.
  • Crepuscular: Referring to organisms or activities that occur during twilight, i.e., dawn and dusk.
  • Circadian Rhythm: The internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, which repeats roughly every 24 hours.
  • Nocturia: A condition in which an individual wakes up frequently during the night to urinate.
  • Insomnia: A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often worsening at night.
  • Sleep Apnea: A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts, often occurring more frequently during night-time sleep.

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