in·can·des·cent / ˌinkənˈdesənt/ • adj. emitting light as a result of being heated: plumes of incandescent liquid rock. ∎  (of an electric light) containing a filament that glows white-hot when heated by a current passed through it. ∎  extremely angry: she was incandescent at the way the IRS acted. ∎  of outstanding and exciting quality; brilliant: Mravinsky's incandescent performance of Siegfried's Funeral March.DERIVATIVES: in·can·des·cence n.in·can·des·cent·ly adv.

incandescent XVIII. — F. — prp. of L. ic̄andēscere glow, f. IN-1 + candēscere become white, f. candidus; see CANDID, -ENT.