luminesce

[ loo-muh-nes ]

verb (used without object)

, lu·mi·nesced, lu·mi·nesc·ing.

1. to exhibit luminescence.

luminesce

/ ˌluːmɪˈnɛs /

verb

1. intr to exhibit luminescence

Word History and Origins

Origin of luminesce¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; back formation from luminescent ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of luminesce¹

back formation from luminescent

Example Sentences

In 1969, scientists discovered that all metals luminesce to some degree, but the intervening years failed to yield a clear understanding of how this occurs.

From Science Daily

These animals and habitats look more realistic than those at other light shows because of their sculpted forms — you could almost mistake them for the real thing, if not for their luminesce.

From Washington Post

Never mind that blood doesn’t actually luminesce under black light; the phosphorescent glow is haunting, and the process of surfaces being gradually wiped clean, erasing all evidence of what just happened, is unsettling.

From The Verge

The team dated sediments at the site using a technique called optically stimulated luminesce, which measures the last time sand grains were exposed to sunlight.

From BBC

In lab experiments, copepods tend to scoot away when dinoflagellates luminesce, suggesting the light display does work as a deterrent.

From Washington Post