phosphorescence

phos·pho·res·cence  (fsf-rsns)

n.

1. Persistent emission of light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation.

2. Emission of light without burning or by very slow burning without appreciable heat, as from the slow oxidation of phosphorous: "He saw the phosphorescence of the Gulf weed in the water" (Ernest Hemingway).

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phospho·rescent adj.

phospho·rescent·ly adv.

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phosphorescence

Noun

1. Physics a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation producing it has stopped

2. the light emitted in phosphorescence

phosphorescent adj

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phosphorescence  (fsf-rsns)

1. 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.

2. The light produced in this way.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

phosphorescence - a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased fluorescence - light emitted during absorption of radiation of some other (invisible) wavelength