brightness

[brahyt-nis]

noun

1. the quality of being bright.

2. Optics.,  the luminance of a body, apart from its hue or saturation, that an observer uses to determine the comparative luminance of another body. Pure white has the maximum brightness, and pure black the minimum brightness.

ˈbrightness

/ ˈbraɪtnɪs /

noun

1. the condition of being bright

2. physics a former name for luminosity

3. psychol the experienced intensity of light

Word History and Origins

Origin of brightness¹

before 950; Middle English brihtnes, Old English beorhtnes. See bright, -ness

Related Words

• brilliance 
• illumination 
• luster