Etymology
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effulgence (n.)

1660s (Milton), from Late Latin effulgentia, from Latin effulgentem (nominative effulgens), present participle of effulgere "to shine out, gleam forth," from assimilated form of ex "out" (see ex-) + fulgere (from PIE *bhleg- "to shine, flash," from root *bhel- (1) "to shine, flash, burn").

Entries linking to effulgence

ex- 
word-forming element, in English meaning usually "out of, from," but also "upwards, completely, deprive of, without," and "former;" from Latin ex "out of, from within; from which time, since; according to; in regard to," from PIE *eghs "out" (source also of Gaulish ex-, Old Irish ess-, Old Church Slavonic izu, Russian iz). In some cases also from Greek cognate ex, ek. PIE *eghs had comparative form *eks-tero and superlative *eks-t(e)r-emo-. Often reduced to e- before -b-, -d-, -g-, consonantal -i-, -l-, -m-, -n-, -v- (as in elude, emerge, evaporate, etc.).
*bhel- (1)

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to shine, flash, burn," also "shining white" and forming words for bright colors.

It forms all or part of: beluga; Beltane; black; blancmange; blanch; blank; blanket; blaze (n.1) "bright flame, fire;" bleach; bleak; blemish; blench; blende; blend; blind; blindfold; blitzkrieg; blond; blue (adj.1); blush; conflagration; deflagration; effulgence; effulgent; flagrant; flambe; flambeau; flamboyant; flame; flamingo; flammable; Flavian; Flavius; fulgent; fulminate; inflame; inflammable; phlegm; phlegmatic; phlogiston; phlox; purblind; refulgent; riboflavin.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit bhrajate "shines;" Greek phlegein "to burn;" Latin flamma "flame," fulmen "lightning," fulgere "to shine, flash," flagrare "to burn, blaze, glow;" Old Church Slavonic belu "white;" Lithuanian balnas "pale."

effulgent (adj.)

1738, back-formation from effulgence, or else from Latin effulgentem (nominative effulgens), present participle of effulgere "to shine out, gleam forth," from assimilated form of ex "out" (see ex-) + fulgere "to shine" (from PIE *bhleg- "to shine, flash," from root *bhel- (1) "to shine, flash, burn"). Related: Effulgently.

updated on October 14, 2017

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Definitions of effulgence from WordNet

effulgence (n.)
the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light;
Synonyms: radiance / radiancy / shine / refulgence / refulgency
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near effulgence

effluvium

efflux

effort

effortless

effrontery

effulgence

effulgent

effuse

effusion

effusive

eft

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