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luminescence

[ loo-muh-nes-uh ns ]
/ ˌlu məˈnɛs əns /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

effulgence, radiance

Nearby words

luminaria, luminary, luminate, lumine, luminesce, luminescence, luminescent, luminiferous, luminism, luminophore, luminosity

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for luminescence

British Dictionary definitions for luminescence

luminescence

/ (ˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns) /

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

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]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for luminescence

luminescence

[ lōō′mə-nĕs′əns ]

n.

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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for luminescence

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.