thermoluminescence

noun ther·mo·lu·mi·nes·cence \-ˌlü-mə-ˈne-s^ən(t)s\

Definition of THERMOLUMINESCENCE

: phosphorescence developed in a previously excited substance upon gentle heating

: the determination of the age of old material (as pottery) by the amount of thermoluminescence it produces —called also thermoluminescence dating

— ther·mo·lu·mi·nes·cent \-s^ənt\ adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use: 1897

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