Synonyms

phosphoresce

American

[fos-fuh-res] / ˌfɒs fəˈrɛs /

verb (used without object)

phosphoresced, phosphorescing

to be luminous without sensible heat, as phosphorus.

phosphoresce British

/ ˌfɒsfəˈrɛs /

verb

(intr) to exhibit phosphorescence

"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

Etymology

Origin of phosphoresce

First recorded in 1785–95; phosphor(us) + -esce

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.

He found that many organisms phosphoresce under ultraviolet light, so he created dramatic Technicolor images of the teeming biodiversity on the forest floor.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2023

It is very slowly released, but the ceramic can be induced to phosphoresce by heating—a process called “thermoluminescence.”

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

While the rays given out by radium cannot, of course, be seen by the unaided eye, the effects of these rays upon certain substances, which they cause to phosphoresce, are strikingly shown.

From A History of Science, Volume 5(of 5) Aspects Of Recent Science by Williams, Henry Smith

Here are mines of native Darkness and Human Stupidity, capable of being made to phosphoresce and effervesce,—are there not, your Majesty?

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 05 by Carlyle, Thomas

The bulb is also a convenient little instrument for the purpose of heating those substances which phosphoresce, and likewise those salts that decrepitate.

From A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe Being A Graduated Course Of Analysis For The Use Of Students And All Those Engaged In The Examination Of Metallic Combinations by Anonymous

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023