Phosphorescent

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a glow in the dark after absorbing light, this term is applied to substances that release energy slowly and continue to emit luminescence for some time
2. Referring to the ability of certain materials to emit light without producing heat after being charged with energy, this phenomenon is particularly notable for its prolonged afterglow
3. Characterized by the emission of light in darkness following light exposure, this aspect pertains to materials that retain energy and produce a soft glow over an extended duration

Etymology: Phosphorus is named for the glow it gives off. The element takes its name from Greek "phōsphoros," meaning "light-bringer," the name the Greeks gave to the morning star. The element itself does not glow in the sense this adjective describes, which is a point that often surprises people. The word "phosphorescent" was built in English from "phosphorus" and the suffix "-escent," which denotes a process of beginning or becoming. Its sense is the continued emission of light after exposure to light, as seen in glow-in-the-dark paint or certain minerals. Here the link to the element is historical rather than chemical. Phosphorus was discovered in the seventeenth century, and its name was attached to a whole family of glowing substances. Some phosphoric mixtures can be luminescent through chemical reactions, but none show true phosphorescence, so the word keeps a name that describes light rather than the material behind it.

Synonyms: luminous, glowing