Definition of "phosphorescence" [phos•phor•es•cence]

• Persistent emission of light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation. (noun)
• Emission of light without burning or by very slow burning without appreciable heat, as from the slow oxidation of phosphorous: "He saw the phosphorescence of the Gulf weed in the water” ( Ernest Hemingway). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "This event is often referred to as phosphorescence, because when it was first studied, the light was mistakenly assumed to be caused by phosphorus."
• "Observing that the water charged with gelatinous particles is in an impure state, and that the luminous appearance in all common cases is produced by the agitation of the fluid in contact with the atmosphere, I am inclined to consider that the phosphorescence is the result of the decomposition of the organic particles, by which process (one is tempted almost to call it a kind of respiration) the ocean becomes purified."
• "I am inclined to consider that the phosphorescence is the result of organic particles, by which process (one is tempted almost to call it a kind of respiration) the ocean becomes purified."