phosphorescence UK /ˌfɒs.fəˈɹɛs.əns/US /ˌfɑs.fəˈɹɛs.əns/ noun1 •The emission of light without any perceptible heat; the quality of being phosphorescent.Mr. Nott proceeded to say that "since the discovery of Photography, there is, perhaps, no branch of electrical physics more interesting than that which comprehends the phenomena of phosphorescence." — 1846 formsphosphorescences