phosphorescence
- The emission of light by a substance without the generation of perceptible heat, persisting after the exciting radiation has been removed.
- Loosely used to describe the faint glow produced by certain marine organisms or decaying organic matter.
In a sentence
- The waves broke in brilliant blue phosphorescence as the swimmer moved through the plankton-rich water at night.
- The old watch dial's phosphorescence had faded over decades, making it nearly impossible to read in the dark.
Usage note. Distinguish phosphorescence from fluorescence: fluorescence stops immediately when the light source is removed, while phosphorescence continues to glow afterward.
Where it comes from
English phosphorescence — “persistent cold light emission” · entered English 17th c.
Formed in English from 'phosphorus' plus the suffix '-escence', indicating a process or state. 'Phosphorus' comes from Latin 'phosphorus', itself from Greek 'phosphoros' meaning 'light-bearer', from 'phos' (light) and 'phoros' (bearing). The term entered scientific English in the late 17th to early 18th century.