glow-in-the-dark
UK[ˌɡləʊ ɪn ðə ˈdɑːk]US[ˌɡloʊ ɪn ðə ˈdɑːrk]
adj
Describing something that emits light after being exposed to light, visible in darkness.
n
A glow-in-the-dark material or object.
Etymology
The term is a modern descriptive compound, originating in the 20th century with the development of phosphorescent and photoluminescent materials. It is built from the Old English verb 'glōwan' (to glow, shine) and the Old English noun 'deorc' (dark, obscure), connected by the common prepositional phrase 'in the'. The logic is entirely literal and syntactic: it describes the property of glowing specifically within a dark environment. This transparent construction directly names the phenomenon, moving from a simple description to a standardized technical and commercial label for light-emitting products.
Analysis
This is a fixed compound phrase, not a single morpheme-based word. It is formed from the verb 'glow', the prepositional phrase 'in the', and the noun 'dark'.
Examples
The children's bedroom was decorated with glow-in-the-dark stars.
This watch has a glow-in-the-dark dial, making it easy to read at night.
She applied a glow-in-the-dark paint to her bicycle for safety.