thermoluminescence

[ thur-moh-loo-muh-nes-uhns ]

noun

, Physics.

1. phosphorescence produced by the heating of a substance.

thermoluminescence

/ ˌθɜːməʊˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns /

noun

1. phosphorescence of certain materials or objects as a result of heating. It is caused by pre-irradiation of the material inducing defects which are removed by the heat, the energy released appearing as light: used in archaeological dating

Derived Forms

• ˌthermoˌlumiˈnescent, adjective

Other Words From

• thermo·lumi·nescent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermoluminescence¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; thermo- + luminescence

Example Sentences

The production of light by animals is quite another phenomenon from thermoluminescence.

From Project Gutenberg