cold light

American  

noun

1. light emitted by a source that is not incandescent, as from a firefly.

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cold light British  

noun

1. light emitted at low temperatures from a source that is not incandescent, such as fluorescence, phosphorescence, bioluminescence, or triboluminescence

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Etymology

Origin of cold light

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cold light

That’s the way it looks in the cold light of Wednesday after President Trump’s announcement late Tuesday of a two-week cease-fire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

They called on God to stop gun violence as they stood in the cold, light rain.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2023

Although Broad survived until day three, in the cold light of day, the Nighthawk's wings were clipped.

From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2023

A movie of cold light and hard surfaces, “Voyagers” owes its antiseptic glamour to the cinematographer Enrique Chediak, whose talents far outclass Burger’s underdeveloped script.

From New York Times ● Apr. 8, 2021

I can't look at him; I squint at the cold light on the distant field.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper