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Definition of phosphorescent - 5 dictionary results

phos⋅pho⋅res⋅cent

[fos-fuh-res-uhnt]
–adjective
exhibiting phosphorescence.

Origin:
1760–70; phosphor(us) + -escent


phos⋅pho⋅res⋅cent⋅ly, adverb
phos·pho·res·cence   (fŏs'fə-rěs'əns)   
n.  
  1. Persistent emission of light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation.
  2. Emission of light without burning or by very slow burning without appreciable heat, as from the slow oxidation of phosphorous: "He saw the phosphorescence of the Gulf weed in the water" (Ernest Hemingway).
phos'pho·res'cent adj., phos'pho·res'cent·ly adv.

Phosphorescent

Phos`phor*es"cent\, a. [Cf. F. phosphorescent.] Shining with a phosphoric light; luminous without sensible heat. -- n. A phosphorescent substance.

phosphorescent 
1766, from Mod.L. phosphorus (see phosphorous) + -escent.

Main Entry: phos·pho·res·cent
Pronunciation: -&nt
Function: adjective
: exhibiting phosphorescence
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