luminescence

[loo-muh-nes-uh ns]

See more synonyms for luminescence on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

Origin of luminescence

1885–90; < Latin lūmin- (see lumen) + -escence

Related formslu·mi·nes·cent, adjectivenon·lu·mi·nes·cence, nounnon·lu·mi·nes·cent, adjectiveun·lu·mi·nes·cent, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for luminescence

effulgence, radiance, luminescence

Examples from the Web for luminescence

Contemporary Examples of luminescence

And, ironically, in the darkness, he sees the luminescence of the jungle around him.
The Tantric Sex in Avatar
Asra Q. Nomani
March 4, 2010

Historical Examples of luminescence

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.
Attrition
Jim Wannamaker
The luminescence that clothed Norhala brightened, deepening the darkness.
The Metal Monster
A. Merritt
It was as though a door had opened into some world of luminescence.
The Metal Monster
A. Merritt
Only if this proceeds rapidly enough does luminescence occur.
The Nature of Animal Light
E. Newton Harvey

British Dictionary definitions for luminescence

luminescence

noun

physics
1. the emission of light at low temperatures by any process other than incandescence, such as phosphorescence or chemiluminescence
2. the light emitted by such a process

Derived Formsluminescent, adjective

Word Origin for luminescence

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

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]

luminescence in Medicine

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.

luminescence in Science

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.