v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Phosphoresced p. pr. & vb. n. Phosphorescing ]1. To shine as phosphorus; to be phosphorescent; to emit a phosphoric light. Generally, to emit light at temperatures too low to excite incandescent radiation. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]
2. To emit light after a source of illumination has been removed; to exhibit phosphorescence. [ PJC ]
n. [ Cf. F. phosphorescence. ] 1. The quality or state of being phosphorescent. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The process of phosphorescing, especially that of emitting light after a source of excitation has been removed. This contrasts with the process of fluorescence, in which a substance emits light of a lower wavelength than the illuminating light, only while the illumination continues. [ PJC ]
3. Light emitted by the process of phosphorescence. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Cf. F. phosphorescent. ] Shining with a phosphoric light; emitting phosphorescence; luminous without sensible heat. -- n. A phosphorescent substance. [ 1913 Webster ]
[鬼火, guǐ huǒ, ㄍㄨㄟˇ ㄏㄨㄛˇ]will-o'-the-wisp (mysterious lights due to phosphorescence from natural calcium phosphate 磷化鈣|磷化钙 CaPO3, or more probably caused by restless souls or demons feasting on corpses); Jack-o'-lantern#50379[Add to Longdo]