ETYM Cf. French incandescence.
Emission of light from a substance in consequence of its high temperature. The color of the emitted light from liquids or solids depends on their temperature, and for solids generally the higher the temperature the whiter the light. Gases may become incandescent through ionizing radiation, as in the glowing vacuum discharge tube.
The oxides of cerium and thorium are highly incandescent and for this reason are used in gas mantles. The light from an electric filament lamp is due to the incandescence of the filament, rendered white-hot when a current passes through it.
1. Light from heat.
2. The phenomenon of light emission by a body as its temperature is raised; SYN. glow.