Monday, April 5, 2010

Luciferin


luciferin \lü-ˈsi-f(ə-)rən\ noun: any of various organic substances in luminescent organisms (as fireflies) that upon oxidation produce a virtually heatless light

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin lucifer light-bearing

Lucifer was a name for the morning star or for the devil. It comes from luc- or lux (light) and -fer (producing, bearing). The woman’s name Lucy also stems from the Latin lux, by way of Lucia. Behind the Name states, “Saint Lucia was a 4th-century martyr from Syracuse. She was said to have had her eyes gouged out, and thus is the patron saint of the blind.” It’s worth noting that the patron saint of the blind was named for light.

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