phosphoresce
Shine without heat
To phosphoresce is to emit light without combustion or perceptible heat—the cold glow of certain substances after exposure to radiation or light.
The word describes that eerie luminescence of deep-sea creatures, fungi, or materials that seem to hold light and release it slowly: The algae phosphoresced in the wake of the boat.
The noun is phosphorescence.
Lingering light or feeling
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- glowwormBioluminescent beetle larva
- dinoflagellateDual-flagellated marine microorganism
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
anglerfish · deep-sea · marine · krill · coral · dragonfish · comb-jelly
Resembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
- uncannyEerily beyond normal
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
supernatural · mysterious · ethereal · phantasmal · chilling · spooky · apparition · unearthly
Dark hours daily
- twilightLight after sunset
- duskDimming after sundown
- blacknessComplete absence of light
- shadowLight blocked by object
gloom · dimness · midnight · moonless · pitch-black · murk · obscurity · unlit
Glowing fungi on rot
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- fungalOf or like mushrooms
- jack-o-lanternCarved pumpkin with candle
- organicFrom living matter
afterglow
Lingering light or feeling
firefly
Bioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- glowwormBioluminescent beetle larva
- dinoflagellateDual-flagellated marine microorganism
plankton · anglerfish · deep-sea · marine · krill · coral · dragonfish · comb-jelly
ghostly
Resembling a specter
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
- uncannyEerily beyond normal
otherworldly · supernatural · mysterious · ethereal · phantasmal · chilling · spooky · apparition · unearthly · eldritch
night
Dark hours daily
shadow · gloom · dimness · midnight · moonless · pitch-black · murk · obscurity · unlit · nocturnal
foxfire
Glowing fungi on rot
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- fungalOf or like mushrooms
- jack-o-lanternCarved pumpkin with candle