luminesce

American  

[loo-muh-nes] / ˌlu məˈnɛs /

verb (used without object)

luminesced, luminescing

1. to exhibit luminescence.

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luminesce British  

/ ˌluːmɪˈnɛs /

verb

1. (intr) to exhibit luminescence

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Etymology

Origin of luminesce

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

Explanation

To luminesce is to shine or glow with light. Some types of jellyfish have the uncanny ability to luminesce underwater. Glow-in-the-dark paint will luminesce when you turn out the lights, and fireflies luminesce in the night sky during the summertime. There are also many chemicals and minerals that naturally luminesce. A scientist would make the distinction that something luminesces when its light is cool, not hot like a match or a glowing flame. Luminesce, like the related luminescence and luminosity, comes from the Latin lumen, meaning "light."