a substance occurring in bioluminescent organisms, such as glow-worms and fireflies. It undergoes an enzyme-catalysed oxidation and emits light on decaying to its ground state
Word origin
C20: from Latin lucifer (literally: light-bearer) + -in
luciferin in American English
(luˈsɪfərɪn)
noun
a substance in luminescent organisms, as fireflies, that produces light by combining with oxygen in the presence of luciferase