Definitions for phosphorescent
phos·pho·res·cent

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.7 / 3 votes

1. phosphorescentadjective

   emitting light without appreciable heat as by slow oxidation of phosphorous

   "the phosphorescent glow of decaying wood"

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. phosphorescentnoun

   A phosphorescent substance.

2. phosphorescentadjective

   Having the property of emitting light for a period of time after the source of excitation is taken away, e.g., in electrostatic storage tubes and cathode-ray tubes.

3. Etymology: From phosphorus + -escent. It's interesting to note that technically phosphorus is not phosphorescent. Phosphorus is luminescent, it gives off light from a chemical reaction, as opposed to re-emission of absorbed energy (phosphorescence). (Reference: John Emsley, The Shocking History of Phosphorus, ISBN 0-330-39005-8.)

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. phosphorescent

   Phosphorescence is a type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. When exposed to light (radiation) of a shorter wavelength, a phosphorescent substance will glow, absorbing the light and reemitting it at a longer wavelength. Unlike fluorescence, a phosphorescent material does not immediately reemit the radiation it absorbs. Instead, a phosphorescent material absorbs some of the radiation energy and reemits it for a much longer time after the radiation source is removed. In a general sense, there is no distinct boundary between the emission times of fluorescence and phosphorescence (i.e.: if a substance glows under a black light it is generally considered fluorescent, and if it glows in the dark it is often simply called phosphorescent). In a modern, scientific sense, the phenomena can usually be classified by the three different mechanisms that produce the light, and the typical timescales during which those mechanisms emit light. Whereas fluorescent materials stop emitting light within nanoseconds (billionths of a second) after the excitation radiation is removed, phosphorescent materials may continue to emit an afterglow ranging from a few microseconds to many hours after the excitation is removed.There are two separate mechanisms that may produce phosphorescence, called triplet phosphorescence (or simply phosphorescence) and persistent phosphorescence (or persistent luminescence). Triplet phosphorescence occurs when an atom absorbs a high-energy photon, and the energy becomes locked in the spin multiplicity of the electrons, generally changing from a fluorescent "singlet state" to a slower emitting "triplet state". The slower timescales of the reemission are associated with "forbidden" energy state transitions in quantum mechanics. As these transitions occur relatively slowly in certain materials, absorbed radiation is reemitted at a lower intensity, ranging from a few microseconds to as much as one second after the excitation is removed.On the other hand, persistent phosphorescence occurs when a high-energy photon is absorbed by an atom and its electron becomes trapped in a defect in the lattice of the crystalline or amorphous material. A defect such as a missing atom (vacancy defect) can trap an electron like a pitfall, storing that electron's energy until released by a random spike of thermal (vibrational) energy. Such a substance will then emit light of gradually decreasing intensity, ranging from a few seconds to up to several hours after the original excitation.Everyday examples of phosphorescent materials are the glow-in-the-dark toys, stickers, paint and clock dials that glow after being charged with a bright light such as in any normal reading or room light. Typically, the glow slowly fades out, sometimes within a few minutes or up to a few hours in a dark room.The study of phosphorescent materials led to the discovery of radioactive decay.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phosphorescentadjective

   shining with a phosphoric light; luminous without sensible heat

2. Phosphorescentnoun

   a phosphorescent substance

3. Etymology: [Cf. F. phosphorescent.]

WikidataRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Phosphorescent

   Phosphorescent is the working moniker of American singer-songwriter Matthew Houck. Originally from Alabama, Houck began recording and performing under this nom de plume in 2001 in Athens, Georgia. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. phosphorescent

   Song lyrics by phosphorescent -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by phosphorescent on the Lyrics.com website.

EntomologyRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phosphorescent

   shining or glowing in the dark, like phosphorus.

How to pronounce phosphorescent?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say phosphorescent in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of phosphorescent in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of phosphorescent in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=phosphorescent
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Phosphorescent
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorescent
4. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorescent
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=phosphorescent
6. ^ Entomology
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/22748/22748-h/22748-h.htm#:~:text=phosphorescent