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Phosphene: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Phosphene noun. A spot or swirl of light you see without light entering the eye, as when you rub your closed eyes.
How to say it
FOS-feen/ˈfɒsfiːn/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (FOS). Forms: phosphenes.
Phosphene in a sentence
Pressing his palms into his eyes, he watched phosphenes bloom and fade.
Astronauts have reported seeing phosphenes as cosmic rays pass through their eyes.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- light flash
Where phosphene comes from
From Greek phōs, light, and phainein, to show.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Astronauts have reported seeing _____ as cosmic rays pass through their eyes.
- phosphene
- ferrule
- vomitory
Show the answer
phosphene: Astronauts have reported seeing phosphenes as cosmic rays pass through their eyes.