luminescence

[ loo-muh-nes-uh ns ]
/ ˌlu məˈnɛs əns /

noun

the emission of light not caused by incandescence and occurring at a temperature below that of incandescent bodies.
the light produced by such an emission.

Origin of luminescence

1885–90; < Latin lūmin- (see lumen) + -escence

OTHER WORDS FROM luminescence

lu·mi·nes·cent, adjective non·lu·mi·nes·cence, noun non·lu·mi·nes·cent, adjective un·lu·mi·nes·cent, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for luminescence

British Dictionary definitions for luminescence

luminescence
/ (ˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns) /

noun

physics
  1. the emission of light at low temperatures by any process other than incandescence, such as phosphorescence or chemiluminescence
  2. the light emitted by such a process

Derived forms of luminescence

luminescent, adjective

Word Origin for luminescence

C19: from Latin lūmen light

Medical definitions for luminescence

luminescence
[ lōō′mə-nĕsəns ]

n.

The emission of light that does not derive energy from the temperature of the emitting body, as in fluorescence and bioluminescence.
The light so emitted.

Scientific definitions for luminescence

luminescence
[ lōō′mə-nĕsəns ]

The emission of light as a result of the excitation of atoms by energy other than heat. Bioluminescence, fluorescence, and phosphorescence are examples of luminescence that can be produced by biological or chemical processes.
The light produced in this way.