firefly

/ˈfaɪ.əˌflaɪ/

Etymology

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)).

name

  1. A locality in the MidCoast council area, eastern New South Wales, Australia.

noun

  1. Any beetle of the family Lampyridae, which exhibit bioluminescence during twilight.“2000, Exploring Life Science, 2: Bats—Cave Life, Marshall Cavendish, page 96, Fireflies are the best-known insects that produce light. […] Many fireflies use their light to communicate, particularly at mating time when males and females have to get together.”