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apobene Offline OP
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There are several words that describe a certain degree of light,like,glimmer,brilliant,radiant,gleam etc.In arabic the word "NUUR"means the essence of light.Any idea about the word that clearly means the essence of light?



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Perhaps "incandescence" works, or "illumination."

But then again, is there really any difference between "effulgence" and "incandescence"? And does "illumination" truly bespeak the very "essence" of light? Well, it looks like I wasn't much help!




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I like incandescence-- but I don't think it it's the essesnce of light-- I would suggest luminous.. or lucent-- which of course, is just closer latin word for light (light coming in from OHG--from the latin luc-)

I especially like luminous-- since its seems a cooler word-- it frees light from the heat (of the sun, and from the heat of incandescence) the moon is luminous. and it keep a sense light as shiny-- like silver or gold. and luminous sound ethereal-- or it does to me at any rate.




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Welcome, apobene, and good luck in your endeavors. I once dated one of your countrymen. He was from Ismir. (Aside:
I special-ordered a bottle of Izmira, which is vodka if I recall correctly, as a present. He was delighted to have it again, and said at home they drink it mixed with beer.)

Now, your query: by "essence" of light, do you mean what it is or what it does? Light is a form of energy, but it shines. I humbly offer this post as fodder for those more knowledgeable to pounce gleefully upon... with the caveat that I interpreted his question as wanting a good mental image of light, not a scientific
description.



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>Now, your query: by "essence" of light, do you mean what it is or what it does?

I am familiar with the word Noor (Nuur) which also exists in Urdu. I think the essence consists of both what it is and what it does. To my mind the word Noor would be in the category of radiance, effulgence, brilliance.
However none of these words have the poetic connotations that the word Noor has. Noor is also a woman's name.



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Well, first of all you have to believe in essences! This belief is by far not general among the various philosophical schools. An essence is something presumed to reside behind or above the phenomena that our senses can perceive. Why should lightning (effulgence) and the glow of a glow-worm have an "essence" in common?


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Why should lightning (effulgence) and the glow of a glow-worm have an "essence" in common?

Why not?



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Why should lightning (effulgence) and the glow of a glow-worm have an "essence" in common?

Why not?


Because to me, the essence of lightning is hot
and the essence of a glow-worm is cool, for one thing. Help me out here, m.g.








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Jackie: to me, the essence of lightning is hot

Really? It seems icy to me!



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the essence of lightning is hot - It seems icy to me!
This proves once more that consensus on essences is anything but close. What about light being an essence itself?








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