phosphorescence
/ˌfɒs.fəˈɹɛs.əns/
phosphorescence means the emission of light without any perceptible heat; the quality of being phosphorescent. It carries an Arena rating of 1644, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, phosphorescence ranks #29 of 13,218 for Most Beautiful Words, #491 of 13,218 for Most Sublime Words, #807 of 13,218 for Most Vivid Words, #1,391 of 13,218 for Most Malleable Words.
phosphorescence is pronounced /ˌfɒs.fəˈɹɛs.əns/.
Why “phosphorescence” is a great word
PHOSPHORESCENCE — [Noun] A cold, persistent glow emanating from a substance after the initial excitation has ceased. From French phosphorescence (1788) or directly from the English adjective phosphorescent (from Modern Latin phosphorus, itself from Greek phōsphoros, "light-bearing") + the noun-forming suffix -ence, meaning "state or quality of being." First recorded in English use 1790–1800. Unlike fluorescence, which dies in an instant, or incandescence, which is born of heat, phosphorescence is a patient, stolen light. It is the ghostly trail of a stirred ocean at night, the eerie sheen of a wristwatch dial in a darkened room, or the final, green memory of sunset captured in a wake of plankton—a reminder that some things continue to shine long after their cause has passed.
Etymology
From phosphorescent. Morphologically phosphoresce + -ence.
noun
- The emission of light without any perceptible heat; the quality of being phosphorescent.“Mr. Nott proceeded to say that "since the discovery of Photography, there is, perhaps, no branch of electrical physics more interesting than that which comprehends the phenomena of phosphorescence."”
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