crepuscular
|cre-pus-cu-lar|
🇺🇸
/krəˈpʌskjələr/
🇬🇧
/krəˈpʌskjʊlə(r)/
related to twilight; dim/twilight activity
Etymology
'crepuscular' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'crepusculum', where 'creper' meant 'dark, gloomy' and the diminutive '-culum' indicated 'a little darkness or dusk'.
'crepusculum' passed into Late/Modern Latin as 'crepuscularis' (meaning 'of or pertaining to twilight'), and via French 'crépusculaire' and Modern Latin usages the adjective entered English as 'crepuscular' in the 19th century.
Initially it meant 'of or pertaining to twilight (a little darkness)', and over time the sense extended to describe animals active at twilight while retaining the core meaning related to dusk/dim light.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or resembling twilight; dim or faintly illuminated.
We admired the crepuscular light that softened the outlines of the hills.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
describing animals that are primarily active during dawn and dusk (twilight periods).
Many bat species and some rodents are crepuscular, foraging at dusk and dawn.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/23 17:58