refulgence

noun

re·​ful·​gence ri-ˈfu̇l-jən(t)s How to pronounce refulgence (audio)
-ˈfəl-
: a radiant or resplendent quality or state : brilliance
refulgent adjective

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"The full bow of the crescent moon peeps above the plain and shoots its gleaming arrows far and wide, filling the earth with a faint refulgence, as the glow of a good man's deeds shines for a while upon his little world after his sun has set, lighting the fainthearted travellers who follow on towards a fuller dawn." So British author Sir Henry Rider Haggard described the light of the moon in King Solomon's Mines, published in 1885. Haggard's example reflects both the modern meaning and the history of refulgence. That word derives from Latin refulgēre, which means "to shine brightly" and which is itself a descendant of the verb fulgēre, meaning "to shine." Fulgēre also underlies effulgence, a shining synonym of refulgence.

Examples of refulgence in a Sentence

the refulgence of a full moon on a clear autumn night
Recent Examples on the Web The bottom floor is a La Colombe Torrefaction coffee shop, its fashionable patrons buzzing about in the glorious refulgence of a winter afternoon. Alexander Nazaryan, Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refulgence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin refulgentia, from refulgent-, refulgens, present participle of refulgēre to shine brightly, from re- + fulgēre to shine — more at fulgent

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refulgence was in 1634

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Dictionary Entries Near refulgence

Cite this Entry

“Refulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refulgence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

refulgence

noun
re·​ful·​gence ri-ˈfu̇l-jən(t)s How to pronounce refulgence (audio)
-ˈfəl-
: a radiant or shining quality or state : brilliance
refulgent adjective
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