adj.
Pronunciation: -s ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: probably from French, from Latin incandescent-, incandescens, present participle of incandescere to become hot, from in- + candescere to become hot, from cand ē re 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