Phosphorescence
/ˌfɑːsfəˈrɛsəns/noun
The emission of visible light by a substance without significant heat.
Did you know?Phosphorescence was named from Greek roots meaning “light-bearing,” because early scientists compared the eerie glow to the planet Venus, the morning star, long before they understood the chemistry behind it.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“to shine, give light”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φῶς (phōs)
“light”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φωσφόρος (phōsphoros)
“light-bringing; the morning star, Venus”
Late Latin
Latin
phosphorus
“the morning star; later a name for a light-emitting substance”
17th Century
English
phosphorescence
“the emission of light without heat, especially after exposure to light”
Modern English
English
phosphorescence
“the visible glow emitted by a substance without significant heat”