nocturnus, a, um, adj. [from the adv. noctu, analog. to diurnus from diu],
I of or belonging to the night, nocturnal (class.): labores diurnos nocturnosque suscipere, Cic. Sen. 23, 82; opp. diurnus, id. Mil. 3, 9: nocturnum praesidium Palatii, id. Cat. 1, 1, 1: sacra, id. Leg. 2, 15, 37: horae, id. Rosc. Am. 7, 19: nocturno certare mero, putere diurno, Hor. Ep. 1, 19, 11: bella, Verg. A. 11, 736: ora, i. e. dark, black faces , Plaut. Poen. 1, 2, 107.—Poet. and in post-Aug. prose, of living beings that do any thing at night : fur nocturnus, Mos. et Rom. Leg. Coll. 7, 2, 1: adulter, Juv. 8, 144: lupus gregibus nocturnus obambulat, by night , Verg. G. 3, 538: qui nocturnus sacra divūm legerit, Hor. S. 1, 3, 117; 2, 6, 100: advocati jam paene nocturni, summoned almost in the night-time , i. e. very early , Petr. 15.—
II Subst.: Nocturnus , i, m., the god of Night , Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 116.