LUMINESCENCE

luminescence, glow

(noun) light from nonthermal sources

luminescence

(noun) light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

luminescence (countable and uncountable, plural luminescences)

(physics) Any emission of light that cannot be attributed merely to the temperature of the emitting body.

Source: Wiktionary

Lu`mi*nes"cence, n. [See Luminescent.]

1. (Physics) Any emission of light not ascribable directly to incandescence, and therefore occurring at low temperatures, as in phosphorescence and fluorescence or other luminous radiation resulting from vital processes, chemical action, friction, solution, or the influence of light or of ultraviolet or cathode rays, etc.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The faculty or power of voluntarily producing light, as in the firefly and glowworm. (b) The light thus produced; luminosity; phosphorescence.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition