luminesce
Shine without heat
To luminesce is to emit light without heat, through chemical, electrical, or other non-thermal processes.
Fireflies luminesce.
So do certain deep-sea creatures and glow-in-the-dark materials.
The word is a back-formation from luminescence, used mainly in scientific contexts: The algae began to luminesce as the waves disturbed them.
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- glowwormBioluminescent beetle larva
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- lanternfishLight-producing deep-sea fish
- dinoflagellateDual-flagellated marine microorganism
anglerfish · foxfire · plankton · deep-sea · aequorin · comb jelly · fungus gnat · click beetle
Steady, soft light
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- gleamFaint reflected light
soft light · otherworldly · magical · moonlike · incandescent · opalescent · nacreous · pearlescent
Electromagnetic radiation unit
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- quantumSmallest discrete unit
- energyPower to do work
emission · excitation · electron · photoluminescence · spectral · visible light · ultraviolet · absorption
Stimulation of response
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- UV lightInvisible solar radiation
- black lightUltraviolet radiation source
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
fluorescein · chromophore · fluorescent dye · optical brightener · neon sign · highlighter · scorpion · tonic water
Lingering light or feeling
- glow-in-the-darkLuminous without power source
- watch dialNumbered surface showing time
- ceiling starsAdhesive glowing bedroom decor
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
firefly
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- glowwormBioluminescent beetle larva
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- lanternfishLight-producing deep-sea fish
dinoflagellate · anglerfish · foxfire · plankton · deep-sea · aequorin · comb jelly · fungus gnat · click beetle
glow
Steady, soft light
- shimmerTremulous, wavering light
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
gleam · soft light · otherworldly · magical · moonlike · incandescent · opalescent · nacreous · pearlescent · aurora
photon
Electromagnetic radiation unit
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- quantumSmallest discrete unit
energy · emission · excitation · electron · photoluminescence · spectral · visible light · ultraviolet · absorption · radiation
excitation
Stimulation of response
- emissionDischarged substance or act
- UV lightInvisible solar radiation
- black lightUltraviolet radiation source
spectroscopy · fluorescein · chromophore · fluorescent dye · optical brightener · neon sign · highlighter · scorpion · tonic water · minerals
afterglow
Lingering light or feeling
- glow-in-the-darkLuminous without power source
- watch dialNumbered surface showing time
- ceiling starsAdhesive glowing bedroom decor
- luminescent paintLight-emitting surface coating
luminescent, luminescence, bioluminescent, bioluminescence, luminescing, chemiluminescence, electroluminescence, chemiluminescent