luminescence
[loo-muh-nes-uh ns]
- the emission of light not caused by incandescence and occurring at a temperature below that of incandescent bodies.
- the light produced by such an emission.
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Origin of luminescence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for luminescence
Contemporary Examples
And, ironically, in the darkness, he sees the luminescence of the jungle around him.
Historical Examples
The interesting problem of luminescence will be discussed elsewhere.
The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4)J. Arthur Thomson
I came to full awareness under the luminescence of the infirmary's overhead.
AttritionJim Wannamaker
The luminescence that clothed Norhala brightened, deepening the darkness.
The Metal MonsterA. Merritt
It was as though a door had opened into some world of luminescence.
The Metal MonsterA. Merritt
Only if this proceeds rapidly enough does luminescence occur.
The Nature of Animal LightE. Newton Harvey
luminescence
- physics
- the emission of light at low temperatures by any process other than incandescence, such as phosphorescence or chemiluminescence
- the light emitted by such a process
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Word Origin
C19: from Latin lūmen light
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for luminescence
n.
1884, from Latin lumen (genitive luminis) "light" (see luminous) + -escence.
Fluorescence and Phosphorescence -- Prof. E. Wiedmann has made a new study of these phenomena. He proposes the general name luminescence for evolutions of light which do not depend on the temperature of the substance concerned. ["Photographic News," April 20, 1888]
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
luminescence
(lōō′mə-nĕs′əns)- The emission of light that does not derive energy from the temperature of the emitting body, as in fluorescence and bioluminescence.
- The light so emitted.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
luminescence
[lōō′mə-nĕs′əns]
- The emission of light as a result of the excitation of atoms by energy other than heat. Bioluminescence, fluorescence, and phosphorescence are examples of luminescence that can be produced by biological or chemical processes.
- The light produced in this way.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.