Scotophilous
/ˌskɒtəˈfaɪləs/noun
Preferring or thriving in darkness or low-light conditions.
Did you know?The word combines Greek skotos, “darkness,” with philos, “loving,” the same root seen in philosophy, philanthropy, and bibliophile.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκότος (skótos)
“Darkness, gloom, or obscurity”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φίλος (phílos)
“Loving, dear, or beloved”
19th Century
New Latin
scotophilus
“An organism that prefers darkness; formed from Greek skotos and philos”
19th–20th Century
Scientific English
scotophilous
“Preferring darkness or low-light conditions”
Modern English
English
scotophilous
“Thriving in, or showing a preference for, darkness”
Explore more surprising origins