Nightglows

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A luminous phenomenon occurring during the nighttime, often attributed to specific forms of bioluminescence or atmospheric effects
2. A soft, radiant shimmer that lights up the darkness in various natural settings
3. A display of glowing light seen after sunset, which can be caused by organisms or atmospheric conditions

Etymology: "Nightglows" is simply the plural of "nightglow," a noun formed by joining "night" and "glow." Both parts are plain Old English-derived words: "night" comes from the ancient word for the hours of darkness, and "glow" describes a steady, warm light, so the compound describes a faint light that appears in the dark. Because it is a transparent combination of two everyday words, the term needs no borrowing from another language to explain it, and its meaning follows directly from its parts.

Synonyms: night lights, noctilucence, luminescence, glow, shine

Antonyms: darkness, blackness, gloom