afterimage

[af-ter-im-ij, ahf-] /ˈæf tərˌɪm ɪdʒ, ˈɑf-/
noun, Psychology
1.
a visual image or other sense impression that persists after the stimulus that caused it is no longer operative.
Origin
1875-80; translation of German Nachbild; see after, image
Examples from the web for afterimage
  • If you then look at a blank wall, you'll see a ghostly afterimage of the flag in reversed colors for a few seconds.
  • It is the afterimage of the dance rather than the dance itself which is the true subject of the review.
  • Its neck twisted and it dropped to the deck, leaving only its own afterimage and a small drop of blood.
  • Within several seconds, as the photoreceptor cells readjusted to their normal state, the afterimage faded away.
  • The afterimage you see is comprised of complementary colors.
  • afterimage is a persisting sensation or image perceived after the correlated physical stimulus has been removed.
British Dictionary definitions for afterimage

afterimage

/ˈɑːftərˌɪmɪdʒ/
noun
1.
a sustained or renewed sensation, esp visual, after the original stimulus has ceased Also called aftersensation, photogene
afterimage in Medicine

afterimage af·ter·im·age (āf'tər-ĭm'ĭj)
n.
A visual image that persists after the visual stimulus causing it has ceased to act. Also called photogene.

Encyclopedia Article for afterimage

visual illusion in which retinal impressions persist after the removal of a stimulus, believed to be caused by the continued activation of the visual system. The afterimage may be positive, corresponding in colour or brightness to the original image, or negative, being less bright or of colours complementary to the original. A common afterimage is the spot of light one sees after a camera flash has been fired. The afterimage is the most readily observed of the class of phenomena known as aftersensations, or aftereffects.

Learn more about afterimage with a free trial on Britannica.com