vaga-lume
See also: vagalume
Portuguese

Etymology
vagar (“to wander”) + lume (“light”). A euphemism for caga-lume (literally “light-shitter”). Compare Galician vagalume.
Pronunciation
Noun
vaga-lume m (plural vaga-lumes)
- firefly (Lampyridae)
- Synonym: pirilampo
- 1880, Machado de Assis, “Círculo Vicioso”, in Ocidentais:
- "Pesa-me esta brilhante auréola de nume… / Enfara-me esta luz e desmedida umbela… / Por que não nasci eu um simples vaga-lume?"…
- (please add an English translation of this quote)
Further reading
vaga-lume on the Portuguese Wikipedia.Wikipedia pt
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