point of illumination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "point of illumination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment of clarity or understanding, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "During the discussion, there was a point of illumination when everyone finally understood the project's goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When light is thrown onto the scene, this technology measures the distance from the point of illumination.

Vice

SD-OCT and TD-OCT systems typically use a point of illumination and produce a one dimensional depth scan (A-scan) of the backscattered light signal as a function of depth below a single point on the tissue surface.

Biomedical Optics Express

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The shadow from a point source of illumination is essentially all umbra, but that from a source of some size (as from the Sun) consists of a small umbra and a much larger partial shadow called the penumbra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Furthermore, the proposed approach effectively works with non-fluorescein fundus images and proves highly accurate and robust in complicated regions such as the central reflex, close vessels, and crossover points, despite a high level of illumination noise in the original data.

Medical Image Analysis

Next we investigate the resolution adjacent to the focal point of the illumination beam, analyze throughout what extend the illumination beam is of acceptable sharpness and investigate the resolution improvements caused by the objective lens.

Plosone

The three pairs of spots represent the focus points of the illumination and collection beams at either extent of the scanning range and on axis.

Biomedical Optics Express

The point of the chinks of illumination from unverifiable sources was to keep the viewer convinced yet guessing.

The Guardian

Therefore, from a practical point of view, some of illumination LEDs are manufactured having Lambertian emission characteristics.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Data from 6 sampling points (three in each phase of illumination; in detail: 0.5 h, 4 h, and 7.5 h light; 0.5 h, 8 h, 15.5 h dark) were drawn from each plant, resulting in 60 measurements.

BMC Systems Biology

We studied the dependence of the ablation threshold on the number of applied laser pulses on a single spot (single point illumination).

Biomedical Optics Express

This approach capitalises on the correlation between the integral of incident illumination at each point on a surface, transforming the sparse photon point set into a continuous function of illumination.

Computer Graphics Forum

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a precise location where light originates or concentrates, using "point of illumination" can add clarity and specificity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "point of illumination" too frequently in metaphorical contexts (e.g., a moment of understanding). While acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "moment of clarity" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "point of illumination" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object within a sentence. It specifies the origin or source from which light emanates. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, particularly in scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "point of illumination" is a noun phrase that refers to the specific source or origin of light. While grammatically correct and supported by Ludwig examples, its usage is relatively rare and leans towards formal and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase can be used both literally, to describe a light source, and metaphorically, to denote a source of understanding. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the formality of your writing and consider simpler alternatives like "light source" or "moment of clarity" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

center of illumination

Highlights the central or focal aspect of the illumination.

source of light

Focuses on the literal origin of light, omitting the nuance of a specific point.

origin of light

Similar to "source of light" but emphasizes the starting point of the light.

locus of illumination

Uses a more formal term, "locus", to denote the specific place of illumination.

place of light

Emphasizes the location from which light emanates, slightly less common.

focus of light

Emphasizes the concentrated area where light is most prominent.

source of brightness

Replaces "illumination" with "brightness", focusing on the intensity of light.

area of illumination

Shifts the focus from a single point to a broader area that is lit.

site of radiance

Replaces "illumination" with "radiance", emphasizing the quality of emitting light.

spot of light

Implies a smaller, more defined area of light compared to overall illumination.

FAQs

How can I use "point of illumination" in a sentence?

You can use "point of illumination" to describe the origin of light in a scene, as in, "The camera measures the distance from the "point of illumination"." It can also metaphorically describe a source of understanding.

What are some alternatives to "point of illumination"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "point of illumination" include "source of light", "center of illumination", or, metaphorically, "moment of clarity".

Is "point of illumination" a formal or informal phrase?

"Point of illumination" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "light source" might be more appropriate. However, in technical or descriptive writing, it's perfectly acceptable.

Can "point of illumination" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "point of illumination" can be used metaphorically to describe a moment or source of understanding, though it's less common than using it in its literal sense. Be mindful of the context to ensure it's appropriate.