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Definition of Diurnal

By Brandon Peters, M.D., About.com

Created: June 02, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: From the Latin diurnus, meaning “of the day” or “daily,” diurnal refers to being active during, occurring in, or pertaining to the daytime or repeating once every 24 hours.

Antonym: nocturnal

Examples: The flowers have a diurnal pattern, opening their blooms every morning.
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