Incandescent

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˌɪn.kænˈdÉ›s.É™nt/, /ˌɪŋ.kænˈdÉ›s.É™nt/, /ˌɪn.kÉ™nˈdÉ›s.É™nt/
• US IPA: /ˌɪn.kænˈdÉ›s.É™nt/, /ˌɪn.kÉ™nˈdÉ›s.É™nt/

Origin

From French incandescent, from Latin incandescens, from incandesco ("be heated, glow"), from in- ("intensifying prefix") + candesco ("become white"), from candidus ("white").

Full definition of incandescent

Adjective

1. emitting light as a result of being heated
2. shining very brightly
• 27 November 2013, John Grotzinger, The world of Mars [print version: International Herald Tribune Magazine, 2013, p. 36], Those multitoned buttes and mesas the Grand Canyon, and that incandescent sequence of colorful bands that make one of the natural wonders of the world so grand, can also be found over 100 million miles away Mars.
3. showing intense emotion, as of a performance, etc.

Related terms

• incandescence
• incandescently

Derived terms

• incandescent lamp

Noun

1. An incandescent lamp or bulb
• 2007, March 1, Matthew L. Wald, Room to Improve, Compact fluorescents are typically rated at 7,500 to 10,000 hours, and incandescents at about 1,500 hours.