(adj.adv.) : nocturnus, a, um, adj.from the adv. noctu, analog. to diurnus from diu
* 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.
* Subst.: Nocturnus, i, m., the god of Night, Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 116.