Main Entry: ¹in·can·des·cent

Pronunciation: \-s^ənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: probably from French, from Latin incandescent-, incandescens, present participle of incandescere to become hot, from in- + candescere to become hot, from candēre to glow — more at candid

Date: 1794

1 a : white, glowing, or luminous with intense heat b : strikingly bright, radiant, or clear c : marked by brilliance especially of expression <incandescent wit> d : characterized by glowing zeal : ardent <incandescent affection>
2 a : of, relating to, or being light produced by incandescence b : producing light by incandescence

— in·can·des·cent·ly adverb