Pigment occurring in luminescent organisms (as fireflies)

• Emits heatless light when undergoing oxidation

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. pigment occurring in luminescent organisms (as fireflies); emits heatless light when undergoing oxidation

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Luciferin (from the Latin lucifer , "light-bringer") is a generic term for the light-emitting compound found in organisms that generate bioluminescence . Luciferins typically undergo an enzyme -catalysed oxidation and the resulting excited state intermediate ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (context biochemistry English) Any of a class of polycyclic heterocycles that are responsible for the bioluminescence of firefly, being converted to oxyluciferin by luciferase in the process.

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
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, ...