lambency
Gentle flickering light
Lambency is the quality of glowing or flickering softly, like firelight or candlelight playing across a surface.
The word extends to gentle brilliance of any kind—a lambent wit sparkles without cutting, and lambent prose has an effortless luminosity.
The lambency of her writing made difficult ideas feel accessible.
Intrinsic brightness of source
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- gleamFaint reflected light
- glimmerFaint, wavering light
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
sheen · luster · incandescence · phosphorescence · effulgence · softness · warmth · aureole
Burning gas made visible
- twinkleShine with flickering light
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- flashBrief burst of light
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
quiver · waver · pulse · flutter · play · ripple · dapple · glint
Exceptional intelligence or luster
- sparkleEmit flashing light
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
- lightnessMinimal weight or gravity
- playfulnessLighthearted, frisky spirit
grace · elegance · subtlety · nimbleness · deftness · polish · refinement · effortlessness
luminosity
Intrinsic brightness of source
shimmer · sheen · luster · incandescence · phosphorescence · effulgence · softness · warmth · aureole · halo
flame
Burning gas made visible
dance · quiver · waver · pulse · flutter · play · ripple · dapple · glint · scintillation
brilliance
Exceptional intelligence or luster
- sparkleEmit flashing light
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
- lightnessMinimal weight or gravity
playfulness · grace · elegance · subtlety · nimbleness · deftness · polish · refinement · effortlessness · delicacy
lambencyheaviness
State of being weighty
dullness · lackluster · leadenness · ponderousness · clumsiness