luminescence
Other forms: luminescences
When some object gives off light, that light is called luminescence. The luminescence of a lighthouse helps keep boats safe on foggy nights.
Glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to your bedroom ceiling have a luminescence you can see when you turn out the light at night, and lightning bugs blink on and off with luminescence in the summertime. Luminescence, scientifically speaking, describes a glow or light that's emitted at a cool temperature, rather than one caused by a fire, for example. The Latin root is lumen, or "light."
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light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperaturessynonyms: phosphorescencetypes:bioluminescenceluminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly)chemiluminescenceluminescence resulting from a chemical reaction as the oxidation of luciferin in firefliestype of:light, visible light, visible radiation(physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
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light from nonthermal sourcessynonyms: glowtype of:brightness, brightness level, light, luminance, luminosity, luminousnessthe quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light
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Vocabulary lists containing luminescence
Here's a bright idea: learn these words that contain the roots lum and luc, which come from the Latin word lux and lumen, meaning "light."
Learn this list of words that include the suffix -escence, meaning the "process or state of being."
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