incandescent
/incandescent/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Emitting light as a result of being heated to a high temperature: Describes an object, typically a filament or material, that glows brightly because it is very hot.
- Characterized by brilliance, intense emotion, or passion: Describes something (like a performance, quality, or feeling) that is exceptionally bright, vivid, or ardent in a metaphorical sense.
Usage and Examples
Literal (Emitting light due to heat):
- The old lamp used an incandescent bulb that produced a warm, yellowish light.
- When heated sufficiently, the metal became incandescent.
Figurative (Brilliant, ardent, intense):
- She gave an incandescent performance that captivated the entire audience.
- His incandescent anger was obvious to everyone in the room.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Technical/Scientific Context: The term is precise in physics and engineering, referring to the emission of visible radiation from a hot body (thermal radiation).
- Tungsten is a common material for incandescent filaments because of its high melting point.
- Literary/Descriptive Context: Often used to describe a quality of light or emotion that seems to glow from within.
- The sunset left the sky in an incandescent glow of oranges and reds.
- She was incandescent with joy upon hearing the news.
Variants and Related Words
- Incandescence (noun): The phenomenon of emitting light due to high temperature; or a state of being brilliantly bright or passionate.
- The incandescence of the molten lava was visible for miles.
- The incandescence of her talent was undeniable.
- Incandescently (adverb): In an incandescent manner.
- The filament burned incandescently before it finally failed.
Synonyms
- Glowing: Emitting light, especially steady light without flame; also suggesting warmth or health.
- Radiant: Emitting rays of light; shining brightly; also used for brilliant happiness or beauty.
- Brilliant: Exceptionally bright or intelligent; shining brightly.
- White-hot: Extremely hot and glowing with an intense white light; also meaning intensely passionate or angry.
Antonyms
- Dim: Not shining brightly or clearly.
- Dull: Lacking brightness, vividness, or sheen.
- Lackluster: Lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; not brilliant.
Common Collocations and Phrases
- Incandescent light/lighting: Light produced by incandescent sources.
- Incandescent bulb/lamp: An electric light with a wire filament heated until it glows.
- Incandescent with rage/joy: A phrase indicating someone is so full of a powerful emotion (like anger or happiness) that they seem to glow or radiate it.
Adjective
- characterized by ardent emotion or intensity or brilliance
- an incandescent performance
- emitting light as a result of being heated
- an incandescent bulb