luminescence

[loo-muh-nes-uh ns] /ˌlu məˈnɛs əns/
noun
1.
the emission of light not caused by incandescence and occurring at a temperature below that of incandescent bodies.
2.
the light produced by such an emission.
Origin of luminescence
1885-90; < Latin lūmin- (see lumen) + -escence
Related forms
luminescent, adjective
nonluminescence, noun
nonluminescent, adjective
unluminescent, adjective
Examples from the web for luminescence
  • To rate the nighttime luminescence of your neighborhood, compare the view from it to these star-magnitude charts.
  • Someone looked at solar effects other than luminescence.
  • In a laboratory the intensity of that burst of luminescence can easily be measured with a device called a photomultiplier.
  • The fact that snail's luminescence can be seen through its shell is a bonus.
  • The swinging bulb sent streaks of odd luminescence glissading across its uneven surface.
British Dictionary definitions for luminescence

luminescence

/ˌluːmɪˈnɛsəns/
noun
1.
(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
luminescent, adjective
Word Origin
C19: from Latin lūmen light
Word Origin and History for luminescence
n.

1884, from Latin lumen (genitive luminis) "light" (see luminous) + -escence.

Fluorescence and Phosphorescence -- Prof. E. Wiedmann has made a new study of these phenomena. He proposes the general name luminescence for evolutions of light which do not depend on the temperature of the substance concerned. ["Photographic News," April 20, 1888]

luminescence in Medicine

luminescence lu·mi·nes·cence (lōō'mə-něs'əns)
n.

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

  2. The light so emitted.

luminescence in Science
luminescence
  (l'mə-něs'əns)   

  1. 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.

  2. The light produced in this way.