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bioluminescence (n.)
also bio-luminescence, "emission of light by living organisms," 1909; see bio- + luminescence.
Entries linking to bioluminescence
bio- word-forming element, especially in scientific compounds, meaning "life, life and," or "biology, biology and," or "biological, of or pertaining to living organisms or their constituents," from Greek bios "one's life, course or way of living, lifetime" (as opposed to zoe "animal life, organic life"), from PIE root *gwei- "to live." The correct usage is that in biography, but since c. 1800 in modern science it has been extended to mean "organic life," as zoo-, the better choice, is restricted in modern use to animal, as opposed to plant, life. Both are from the same PIE root. Compare biology.
luminescence (n.)
1884, coined in German physicist Eilhard Wiedemann (1852-1928) from Latin lumen (genitive luminis) "light" (from suffixed form of PIE root *leuk- "light, brightness") + -escence.
Fluorescence and Phosphorescence — Prof. E. Wiedmann has made a new study of these phenomena. He proposes the general name luminescence for evolutions of light which do not depend on the temperature of the substance concerned. ["Photographic News," April 20, 1888]
The verb luminesce (1896) is a back-formation.
bioluminescent (adj.)also bio-luminescent, 1929, from bioluminescence + -ent.
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Definitions of bioluminescence
bioluminescence (n.)
luminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly);
Dictionary entries near bioluminescence
biohazard
biological
biologism
biologist
biology
bioluminescence
bioluminescent
biolysis
biomagnetism
biomass
biome