Glow

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -əʊ

Origin

From Middle English glowen, probably from the Old English glōwan, though this is disputed because the corresponding words in Old Saxon and Old High German are dissimilar, glōian and gluoen respectively. It may instead be from an Old Norse word, glóa. Its ultimate root is probably Proto-Germanic *glōaną, from Proto-Indo-European. Compare West Frisian gloeie, Dutch gloeien, German glühen, Danish glo. See also glass.

Full definition of glow

Verb

1. To give off light from heat or to emit light as if heated.
   The fire was still glowing after ten hours.
2. To radiate some emotional quality like light.
   The zealots glowed with religious fervor.
   You are glowing from happiness!
• DrydenWith pride it mounts, and with revenge it glows.
• Alexander PopeBurns with one love, with one resentment glows.
3. To gaze especially passionately at something.
4. To radiate thermal heat.
   Iron glows red hot when heated to near its melting point.
   After their workout, the gymnasts' faces were glowing red.
5. To shine brightly and steadily.
   The new baby's room glows with bright, loving colors.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 5, Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.
6. (transitive) To make hot; to flush.
• ShakespeareFans, whose wind did seem
  To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool.
7. (intransitive) To feel hot; to have a burning sensation, as of the skin, from friction, exercise, etc.; to burn.
• AddisonDid not his temples glow
  In the same sultry winds and scorching heats?
• John GayThe cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands.

Noun

1. The state of a glowing object.
• 1994, Stephen Fry, The Hippopotamus Chapter 2The door of the twins' room opposite was open; a twenty-watt night-light threw a weak yellow glow into the passageway. David could hear the twins breathing in time with each other.
2. The condition of being passionate or having warm feelings.
3. The brilliance or warmth of color in an environment or on a person (especially one's face).He had a bright red glow on his face.

Anagrams

• gowl, wlog