Crépusculaire

Crépusculaire is a French adjective that translates to "twilight" or "crepuscular" in English. It refers to the period of twilight, the time of day or night when the sky is still light due to diffused sunlight. This can occur either in the morning before sunrise (dawn) or in the evening after sunset (dusk). The term is often used to describe the low light conditions characteristic of these times.

In a biological context, "crepuscular" is used to describe animals that are primarily active during twilight hours. These animals, such as rabbits, deer, and some insects, tend to emerge from their shelters to feed or hunt when light levels are low, avoiding the heat of the day and the full darkness of night. This activity pattern offers advantages like reduced predation risk and access to specific food sources.

The word "crépusculaire" derives from the Latin word "crepusculum," meaning "twilight" or "dimness." It captures the ephemeral and atmospheric quality of the transition between day and night. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe anything that is indistinct, ambiguous, or existing in a transitional state, much like the fading light of dusk or the growing light of dawn.