The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Luciferin \Lu*cif"er*in\ (l[=oo]*s[i^]f"[~e]r*[i^]n), 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Firefly luciferin \Fire"fly` lu*cif"er*in\, n. (Biochem.)
a type of luciferin produced by the firefly Photinus
pyralis.
Note: 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Firefly \Fire"fly`\, n.; pl. Fireflies. (Zool.)
Any luminous winged insect, esp. luminous beetles of the
family Lampyrid[ae].
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common American species belong to the genera
Photinus (especially Photinus pyralis) and
Photuris, in which both sexes are winged. The name is
also applied to luminous species of Elaterid[ae]. See
Fire beetle.
[1913 Webster +PJC]