afterglow

[ af-ter-gloh, ahf- ]

/ ˈæf tərˌgloʊ, ˈɑf- /

the glow frequently seen in the sky after sunset; afterlight.

a second or secondary glow, as in heated metal before it ceases to become incandescent.

the pleasant remembrance of a past experience, glory, etc.: She basked in the afterglow of her stage triumph.

Origin of afterglow

First recorded in 1870–75; after + glow

Popped-cherry experiences were ranked in terms of "anxiety," "negativity," "connection," and even "afterglow."

6 New Ways to Be Happy (If You Believe the Studies) |Rachel Krantz |February 6, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
If Anger Management is about the afterglow, Louie is about self-loathing.

Charlie Sheen’s ‘Anger Management’ & Louis C.K.’s ‘Louie’: Comedy Clash |Jace Lacob |June 27, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
In the twilight afterglow, talk of a new march on Wall Street swept the crowd.

The Battle For Wall Street |John Avlon |October 14, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
RULE: Wait for the afterglow to dissipate—and the pants to go on—before you pick up the phone after sex.

The 12 Rules of Sex and Tech |Brian Ries, Claire Howorth |November 14, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

Those with a gift for harem management can leave a woman with warm, nostalgic feelings, an afterglow of romantic gratitude.

How Not to Manage a Harem |Tracy Quan |December 8, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
"I didn't know you wanted me this morning, Ma," the boy replied, an afterglow of happiness still on his face.

Carl and the Cotton Gin |Sara Ware Bassett
Gradually the afterglow was coming and seemed to soften the hard lines of her face.

Mrs. Maxon Protests |Anthony Hope
By that time it was twilight and the river and the Sound, just below them, were golden in the afterglow.

Four Afloat |Ralph Henry Barbour
September's cold snap was forgotten in the unexpected warmth of October—just like an afterglow of summer.

Trooper Bluegum at the Dardanelles |Oliver Hogue
It remained like an afterglow when the door was closed behind the girl.

Dust of the Desert |Robert Welles Ritchie

afterglow

/ (ˈɑːftəˌɡləʊ) /

the glow left after a light has disappeared, such as that sometimes seen after sunset

the glow of an incandescent metal after the source of heat has been removed

physics luminescence persisting on the screen of a cathode-ray tube or in a gas-discharge tube after the power supply has been disconnected

a trace, impression, etc, of past emotion, brilliance, etc