Having the property of emitting light for a period of time after the source of excitation is taken away, e.g., in electrostatic storage tubes and cathode-ray tubes
emitting light without appreciable heat as by slow oxidation of phosphorous; "the phosphorescent glow of decaying wood
A phosphorescent object or colour glows in the dark with a soft light, but gives out little or no heat. phosphorescent paint. shining slightly in the dark but producing little or no heat