Phosphorescent
/ˌfɒs.fəˈres.ənt/noun
Emitting light without noticeable heat, especially after being exposed to radiation or in certain chemical reactions.
Did you know?Phosphorescent was built from Greek roots meaning “light-bearer,” and the same *phos* root also gave English the word “phosphorus,” named for the planet Venus before it became the name of a glowing element.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
phōsphóros
“light-bringing, especially the morning star (Venus)”
Late Latin
Latin
phosphorus
“the morning star; a light-bringer”
17th Century
English
phosphorus
“a substance that glows or seems to glow”
18th Century
English
phosphorescent
“showing a glow resembling that of phosphorus”
Modern English
English
phosphorescent
“emitting light without heat after exposure to energy”
Explore more surprising origins