n. (Biochem.) a type of luciferin produced by the firefly Photinus pyralis. Its structure has been elucidated, and chemically it is recognized as 4, 5-Dihydro-2-(6-hydroxy-2-benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid, C11H8N3O2S2. It has found use in a very sensitive assay for ATP, in which concentrations of ATP as low as 10-11 molar can be detected. [ MI11 ] [ PJC ]

n. [ L., bringing light, n., the morning star, fr. lux, lucis, light + ferre to bring. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The planet Venus, when appearing as the morning star; -- applied in Isaiah by a metaphor to a king of Babylon. [ 1913 Webster ]

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground which didst weaken the nations! Is. xiv. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tertullian and Gregory the Great understood this passage of Isaiah in reference to the fall of Satan; in consequence of which the name Lucifer has since been applied to Satan. Kitto. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, Satan. [ 1913 Webster ]

How wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favors! . . .
When he falls, he falls like Lucifer,
Never to hope again. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A match{ 1 } made of a sliver of wood tipped with a combustible substance, and ignited by friction; -- called also lucifer match, and locofoco, now most commonly referred to as a friction match. See Locofoco. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Zool.) A genus of free-swimming macruran Crustacea, having a slender body and long appendages. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Biochem.) an enzyme which catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin, thereby producing bioluminescence. [ PJC ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to Lucifer; having the pride of Lucifer; satanic; devilish. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to the Luciferians or their leader. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of the followers of Lucifer, bishop of Cagliari, in the fourth century, who separated from the orthodox churches because they would not go as far as he did in opposing the Arians. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Biochem.) any of several substances found in luminescent organisms (such as the firefly, Photinus pyralis) which, when oxidized, produces an almost heatless light. It was first isolated from fireflies, and is the source of the firefly luminescence. See also firefly luciferin [ PJC ]

a. [ See Lucifer. ] Giving light; affording light or means of discovery. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a luciferous manner. [ 1913 Webster ]