Firefly
/ˈfaɪər.flaɪ/noun
A small insect that produces light by bioluminescence, especially a lampyrid beetle.
Did you know?The word is a plain Old English compound, but the insect’s glow made people treat fireflies as omens, lanterns, and living sparks in folklore across many cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
fȳr
“fire”
Old English
OE
flēoge
“fly, flying insect”
Middle English
ME
firflie
“a fire-colored or glowing fly”
16th Century
English
firefly
“a luminous flying insect”
Modern English
English
firefly
“a small insect that produces light by bioluminescence, especially a lampyrid beetle”