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incalescence

incalescence

9.9
Becoming warm and starting to give off heat
  • noun
  • /ˌɪn.kəˈlɛs.əns/
translation icon : incalescencia
  • The incalescence of the metal made it glow red.

Examples

  • He described the gradual incalescence of the water as the kettle began to boil.

  • The incalescence of the hot coals filled the room with a gentle heat.

  • During summer, the incalescence of the sun can be felt on the pavement.

  • We observed the incalescence of the lava as it flowed.

  • The incalescence from the sun warmed the stones on the beach.

  • In the summer, the incalescence of the afternoon sun made it difficult to stay outside.

  • The fireplace produced a gentle incalescence that filled the room with warmth.

Synonyms

heating
vsincalescence
23 1.0

The process of something becoming or being made warm

often refers to passive warming or emission rather than deliberate action
calefaction
vsincalescence
  • Archaic
9.9

To make something warm, often by using heat

is broader, used for natural and non artificial heat changes
warmness
vsincalescence
1.0

A gentle heat in a place or from the sun

also covers the process of becoming warm, not only the static state
warming
vsincalescence
1.3

To make a part of the body feel hot

focuses on physical heat generation or emission rather than mere sensation

Antonyms

60 2.1

A drop in temperature that makes something colder

How Hot

incandescence
  • Specialized
1 8.2
heat
583 1.0
incalescence
9.9
warmth
90 1.0
coolness
6 1.0
coldness
5 1.0

Surface Forms

incalescence singular
incalescences plural

Morphology

incalescence = incalescent (transparent) = incalesc + ence

Formed by the noun-forming suffix '-ence' from the adjective 'incalescent', so the meaning 'process/state of becoming warm' is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

The word incalescence comes from the Latin parts in- and calescere, which means 'to grow warm', and is related to calor ('heat') and the English word calorie. So, incalescence is the process of becoming warm or giving off heat.