incandescence
Americannoun
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the emission of visible light by a body, caused by its high temperature.
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the light produced by such an emission.
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the quality of being incandescent.
noun
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the emission of light by a body as a consequence of raising its temperature Compare luminescence
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the light produced by raising the temperature of a body
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The emission of visible light from a substance or object as a result of heating it to a high temperature. The color of the light emitted from solids and liquids is a function of their chemical structure and their temperature; the higher the temperature, the more intense and even the distribution of frequencies is (that is, higher temperatures create brighter and whiter light than lower temperatures).
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Compare fluorescence See also blackbody radiation
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of incandescence
First recorded in 1650–60; incandesc(ent) + -ence
Explanation
Incandescence is the light from heat. A fireplace adds a warm incandescence to a house in the winter. The glow of a fire is known as incandescence. If you see a shooting star, the bright light is due to incandescence. When you have a good idea, a cartoon light bulb goes on over your head – incandescence can refer to that kind of lighting up, too, like a brilliant idea that sheds light on something. If someone has a thousand-watt smile, that’s incandescence. Any time something lights up from heat, physically or emotionally, it produces incandescence.
Vocabulary lists containing incandescence
The Pearl
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Power Suffix: -escence
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Physical Science - Energy - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Incandescence is the white light emitted by a substance that is infusible when subjected to a high temperature.
From The Elements of Blowpipe Analysis by Getman, Frederick Hutton
Incandescence or phosphorescence of a rarefied gas; and 4.
From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Martin, Thomas Commerford
Incandescence not being the condition of the sun or its surroundings; exhausted worlds, worn out asteroids, and stray comets and meteors are not required to keep up external fires.
From New and Original Theories of the Great Physical Forces by Rogers, Henry Raymond
Ah, Love, th' Invisible Buskin at the Gate Illumes your Eyes that languored gaze and wait And in their Incandescence seem to ask The world-old Question: "Is my Hat On Straight?"
From The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Jr. by Irwin, Wallace
When you died, you became one with the Eternal Incandescence.
From Too Old for Dolls A Novel by Ludovici, Anthony M. (Anthony Mario)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
