lambent

[ lam-buhnt ]

adjective

1. softly bright or radiant:

   a lambent light.

2. running or moving lightly over a surface:

   lambent tongues of flame.

3. dealing lightly and gracefully with a subject; brilliantly playful:

   lambent wit.

lambent

/ ˈlæmbənt /

adjective

1. (esp of a flame) flickering softly over a surface
2. glowing with soft radiance
3. (of wit or humour) light or brilliant

Derived Forms

• ˈlambency, noun
• ˈlambently, adverb

Other Words From

• lambent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lambent¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin lambent- (stem of lambēns ) “lapping,” present participle of lambere “to lick, wash” (said of water or fire); akin to lap ³none; -ent none

Word History and Origins

Origin of lambent¹

C17: from the present participle of Latin lambere to lick

Example Sentences

There appears to be a lambent light at the end of the tunnel, yet cavalier attitudes towards the pandemic, particularly among younger people who, as a group, are under-vaccinated, resembles what we saw last summer just before the second wave.

From Time

A lambent spotlight shines on each individual in his portraits, reminding the world of their forgotten existence.

From The Daily Beast

Another has joined the band—a little shadowy form, with lambent eyes, and the smile of a seraph.

From Project Gutenberg

Each stalk had turned into a tall, straight flame of lambent rose.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly, Mrs. Vansittart's eyes gleamed again with that lambent light so oddly at variance with her smile.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no suggestion of a body, only that majestic head crowned with hyacinthine locks and limned in lambent fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Crazed by the infernal round, unable to resist the fascination of the lambent flames, one of them sprang and fell into the fire.

From Project Gutenberg