luminescencen.
/ˌluːmᵻˈnɛsns/, /ˌljuːmᵻˈnɛsns/, U.S. /ˌluməˈnɛs(ə)ns/ Luminescent condition or quality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted under particular conditions > [noun] > luminescence > quality of
luminescence1889
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > intensity of light, luminosity > [noun] > luminescence
luminescence1889
photoluminescence1889
bioluminescence1916
1889 tr. E. Wiedemann in London, Edinb., & Dublin Philos. Mag. 5th Ser. 28 151 I have ventured to employ the term luminescence for all those phenomena of light which are more intense than corresponds to the actual temperature.
1896 Q. Rev. Apr. 497 Electrical luminescence.
1899 Cambr. Nat. Hist. VI. 259 It is remarkable that there should be three successive seats of luminescence in the life of the same individual.
Draft additions 1997
2. Light, or a glow, emitted by a luminescent (cool) object or surface.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted under particular conditions > [noun] > luminescence
cold light1894
luminescence1908
1908 Westm. Gaz. 13 Mar. 2/1 It is generally agreed that the auroral rays are a luminescence caused by the absorption of kathode rays in the atmosphere.
1955 Sci. News Let. 29 Oct. 288/3 The intensity of the luminescence that some rocks give off when heated is an indication of their geologic age.
1979 D. Attenborough Life on Earth (1981) i. 32 At night they are particularly spectacular for they glow with a bright purple luminescence and if you touch them, ghostly waves of light pulsate along their slowly writhing arms.
1985 Observer 28 Apr. 9/6 This is just the luminescence on the belly of an old mackerel.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1889