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fluorescence

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fluo⋅res⋅cence

  [floo-res-uhns, flaw-, floh-]
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–noun Physics, Chemistry.
1. the emission of radiation, esp. of visible light, by a substance during exposure to external radiation, as light or x-rays. Compare phosphorescence (def. 1).
2. the property possessed by a substance capable of such emission.
3. the radiation so produced.
Origin:
1852; fluor(spar) + -escence, on the model of opalescence, in reference to the mineral's newly discovered property
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fluo·res·cence   (flŏŏ-rěs'əns, flô-, flō-)   
n.  

  1. The emission of electromagnetic radiation, especially of visible light, stimulated in a substance by the absorption of incident radiation and persisting only as long as the stimulating radiation is continued.

  2. The property of emitting such radiation.

  3. The radiation so emitted.


[fluor(spar) + -escence.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

fluorescence

The emission of light from an object as a result of bombardment by other kinds of electromagnetic radiation, such as x-rays or ultraviolet rays. Fluorescent materials may appear one color when bathed in visible light and another color when exposed to other kinds of electromagnetic radiation.

Note: “Black light” depends on fluorescence for its effects.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

fluorescence 
1852, "glowing in ultraviolet light," coined by Eng. mathematician and physicist Sir George G. Stokes (1819-1903) from fluorspar (see fluorine), because in it he first noticed the phenomenon, + ending -escence from opalescence, phosphorescence. The fluorescent electric lamp patent was applied for in 1896 by Thomas A. Edison, but such lights were rare before 1938.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: flu·o·res·cence
Pronunciation: -'es-&n(t)s
Function: noun
: luminescence that is caused by the absorption ofradiation at one wavelength followed by nearly immediate reradiation usually at a different wavelength and that ceases almost immediately when the incident radiation stops; also : theradiation emitted —flu·o·res·cent /-'es-&nt/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

fluorescence fluo·res·cence (fl&oobreve;-rěs'əns, flô-)
n.

  1. The emission of electromagnetic radiation, especially of visible light, stimulated in a substance by the absorption of incident radiation and persisting only as long as the stimulating radiation is continued.

  2. The property of emitting such radiation.

fluo·res'cent adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
fluorescence   (fl-rěs'əns)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. The giving off of light by a substance when it is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light or x-rays. As long as electromagnetic radiation continues to bombard the substance, electrons in the fluorescent material become excited but return very quickly to lower energy, giving off light, always of the same frequency. Fluorescent dyes are often used in microscopic imaging, where different dyes can penetrate and illuminate different parts of the sample being examined, helping to distinguish its structures. Compare phosphorescence.

  2. The light produced in this way.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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