phosphorescence
[ fos-fuh-res-uh ns ]
/ ˌfɒs fəˈrɛs əns /
noun
the property of being luminous at temperatures below incandescence, as from slow oxidation in the case of phosphorus or after exposure to light or other radiation.
a luminous appearance resulting from this.
any luminous radiation emitted from a substance after the removal of the exciting agent.
Origin of phosphorescence
First recorded in 1790–1800;
phosphoresc(ent) +
-ence
OTHER WORDS FROM phosphorescence
sem·i·phos·pho·res·cence, nounWords nearby phosphorescence
phosphor,
phosphor bronze,
phosphor-,
phosphorate,
phosphoresce,
phosphorescence,
phosphorescent,
phosphoreted,
phosphoriboisomerase,
phosphoric,
phosphoric acid
Example sentences from the Web for phosphorescence
British Dictionary definitions for phosphorescence
phosphorescence
/ (ˌfɒsfəˈrɛsəns) /
noun
physics
- a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation producing it has stopped
- a fluorescence for which the average lifetime of the excited atoms is greater than 10 –8 seconds
the light emitted in phosphorescence
the emission of light during a chemical reaction, such as bioluminescence, in which insufficient heat is evolved to cause fluorescence
Compare fluorescence
Medical definitions for phosphorescence
phosphorescence
[ fŏs′fə-rĕs′əns ]
n.
Persistent emission of light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation.
Emission of light without burning or by very slow burning without appreciable heat, as from the slow oxidation of phosphorous.
Other words from phosphorescence
phos′pho•res′cent adj.Scientific definitions for phosphorescence
phosphorescence
[ fŏs′fə-rĕs′əns ]
The emission of light by a substance as a result of having absorbed energy from a form of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light or x-rays. Unlike fluorescence, phosphorescence continues for a short while after the source of radiation is removed. Glow-in-the-dark products are phosphorescent. Compare fluorescence.
The light produced in this way.