phosphorescence

[ fos-fuh-res-uhns ]

noun

1. the property of being luminous at temperatures below incandescence, as from slow oxidation in the case of phosphorus or after exposure to light or other radiation.
2. a luminous appearance resulting from this.
3. any luminous radiation emitted from a substance after the removal of the exciting agent.

phosphorescence

/ ˌfɒsfəˈrɛsəns /

noun

1. physics
   1. a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation producing it has stopped
   2. a fluorescence for which the average lifetime of the excited atoms is greater than 10 ^–8seconds
2. the light emitted in phosphorescence
3. the emission of light during a chemical reaction, such as bioluminescence, in which insufficient heat is evolved to cause fluorescence Compare fluorescence

Other Words From

• semi·phospho·rescence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphorescence¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; phosphoresc(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

The color of the phosphorescence differs in the sexes, and its intensity varies with the age and temperament.

From Project Gutenberg

The water gleamed with phosphorescence, and the yacht Spray left a wake of gleaming silver and gold and flashing jewels.

From Project Gutenberg

Urgent as the situation was, he stood for a few moments meditative, contemplating the phosphorescence of the waves.

From Project Gutenberg

That is phosphorescence, which is very common in tropical seas, sometimes the whole sea is alight with it.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no light in these depths: they make it with their own phosphorescence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beam
• blaze
• burst
• flame
• flare
• glare
• gleam
• glimmer
• glint
• glitter
• glow
• radiation
• ray
• reflection
• spark
• sparkle
• vision