Refulgent
/rɪˈfʌldʒənt/noun
Shining brightly; radiant or gleaming.
Did you know?Refulgent comes from Latin refulgēre, and the same root behind its glow also lives in words like “effulgent” and “fulgent,” all tied to light flashing back into view.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“To shine, flash, or be bright.”
Latin
Latin
fulgēre
“To flash, gleam, or shine brightly.”
Latin
Latin
refulgēre
“To flash back, gleam again, or reflect light.”
Late Latin
Latin
refulgēns
“Shining back; radiant.”
14th Century
English
refulgent
“Shining brightly or gleaming.”
Explore more surprising origins