phosphorescev.
/ˌfɒsfəˈrɛs/, U.S. /ˌfɑsfəˈrɛs/ intransitive. To emit light without any perceptible heat, to shine in the dark; to emit light or radiation by phosphorescence. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted under particular conditions > [verb (intransitive)] > phosphoresce
burn1667
phosphoresce1795
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > intensity of light, luminosity > become luminescent [verb (intransitive)] > be phosphorescent
phosphoresce1795
1795 J. G. Schmeisser Syst. Mineral. I. 253 The barytic stones crackle when exposed to heat, and phosphoresce a little.
1799 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. 28 182 Luminous trains of idea which kindle and phosphoresce along its track.
1848 E. Forbes Naked-eyed Medusæ 76 When the Pelagia phosphoresces, it seems like a great globe of fire in the water.
1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia I. v. vii. 618 Mines of native Darkness and Human Stupidity, capable of being made to phosphoresce and effervesce.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 14 Dec. 4/2 This prodigy [sc. a diamond] will phosphoresce in the dark for some minutes after being exposed to a small pocket electric light.
1988 E. Wood et al. Sea Life Brit. & Ireland 20 The reason why these animals phosphoresce is not entirely clear, though in some cases they probably do it to attract their prey.
1997 J. Moore Never eat your Heart Out 226 His flesh phosphoresces. He has beetling violent blue eyes.
Derivatives
phosphoˈrescing adj. and n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted under particular conditions > [adjective] > phosphorescent
night-shining1598
noctilucous1680
noctilucal1682
noctilucent1691
phosphorous1717
self-luminous1751
phosphorescent1767
phosphoric1771
phosphoreous1776
phosphor1790
phosphorescing1794
phosphoretic1794
phosphorent1819
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > intensity of light, luminosity > [adjective] > phosphorescent
phosphorous1717
phosphorescent1767
phosphoric1771
phosphoreous1776
phosphorescing1794
phosphoretic1794
phosphorc1820
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 79 It has not the phosphorescing quality.
1866 A. M. H. Brewster St. Martin's Summer 408 While noticing this phosphorescing of the sea, Janet's classical memories were quickened.
1895 Times 21 Jan. 15/1 Able to dissipate..luminosity of a phosphorescing body.
1923 D. A. Mackenzie Myths China & Japan xiii. 219 It does not follow that this belief about the origin of shining pearls had a connection with observations made of the phosphorescing of parts of marine animals.
1997 Chem. Physics Lett. 272 229/2 Phosphorescence spectra of aromatic thiones reflect the changes in the character of the phosphorescing state.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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