Lumens Lighting & Design Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ABS: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a common thermoplastic. It's lightweight, strong and rigid, making it useful in a wide range of applications, including protective cases for clocks and electrical housings, toys (i.e. Lego bricks) and for various lighting fixture components.
AC Induction Motor: AC motors (as well as DC motors) are commonly found in ceiling fans. The AC motor tends to consume more energy as it must remain switched on as long as the fan is in use. This is slowly being replaced by the quieter, more energy-efficient DC motor, which only operates until the fan reaches the desired speed and then shuts off in favor of a magnet that keeps the fan running.
Accent Lighting: This type of lighting is less about brightness and more about setting a mood and adding style. Lamps are often used as accent lights, and some more decorative (less bright) wall and ceiling fixtures are accents, too.
ADA Compliant: A lighting fixture that meets requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; typically, ADA compliant lighting fixtures are unobtrusive wall fixtures that extend outward four inches or less.
Alabaster: Usually a fine-grained variety of gypsum, revered for its translucence and softness, which makes it easy to carve into decorative forms.
Ambient Light: Refers to the basic level of lighting in a room. Ambient light is essential because it provides general lighting, thus allowing people to sit and move around in a room with a comfortable amount of overall light and brightness.
Anodized: Usually applies to aluminum. During the anodizing process, aluminum is placed in a chemical bath, and effectively turns into the positive anode of a chemical battery. This process oxidizes the aluminum's surface, making it harder and corrosion-resistant.
Antiquing: 1) to make something (usually furniture) appear aged like an antique, often through specific finish applications or deliberately distressing/wearing the surface; 2) to go shopping specifically for antiques.
Art Deco: Design style evolved from Art Nouveau, popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Inspiration from industrial development as well as nature influenced the focus on symmetrical, geometric lines with a minimum of adornment. Sleek, shiny surfaces like chrome and mirror predominate.
Art Glass: Any of several varieties of glass that use combinations of colors, special effects of opaqueness and transparency, and so forth to create a particular aesthetic effect.
Art Nouveau: French for "new art." Design style popular at the turn of the 20th century. Inspired by nature and the feminine form, it is typified by sinuous, organic lines, ornate detailing, exotic materials and soft colors.
Asian: A design style that is strongly influenced by Asian design and culture, and the trees native to Asia. Often includes simple lines and gently contrasting natural colors.
Backlight: By placing the light source behind an object, one can achieve a certain glow and shadowing effect desirable in certain situations. For example, by backlighting a mouth-blown vase, the vase itself seems to emanate with light.
Ballast: Device that controls the amount of current in an electrical circuit, stabilizing it for devices that cannot do it on their own. In the case of lighting, electrical ballast is needed for LEDs (resistor) and fluorescent lamps (magnetic or electronic ballast) in order for them to turn on and off smoothly and function properly.
Base: 1) the very bottom or foundation of a lighting fixture; 2) the entire body/structure of a fixture apart from the shade, especially a table or floor lamp; 3) the part of a bulb that connects it to a fixture and its power supply, i.e. screw base, ceramic base, bi-pin or four-pin base.
Basketweave: Textile weaving pattern that mimics the warp and weft of baskets. It is distinguished by intersecting ribs (vertical) and welts (horizontal) that form a kind of checkerboard appearance.
Batch-dyed: Process by which material is dyed slowly in a large amount of liquid. It is the most common type of dyeing used today.
Battuto: Italian for "struck;" hammered-looking glass surface texture created by grinding.
Bauhaus: An amazingly influential German building/design/fine arts school, in operation from 1919-1933. The Bauhaus style (ask International style) was influenced by Modernism (without mass production) and emphasized harmony between form and function and lack of ornamentation.
Beveled Glass: Glass with angled edges, often to create a prismatic effect.
Blade pitch: The angle of blades relative to a fan base. A higher blade pitch results in a greater amount of air circulation, but also greater resistance. And vice versa.
Blade span/sweep/diameter: The circular area covered by a fan's blades when in motion. The measurement includes the width from the tip of one blade through to the tip of the blade opposite, including the central fan housing.
Bobeche: A traditional bobeche fits around the base of a candle to catch wax drippings. It can range in style from very plain to highly decorative and is often seen on chandeliers just beneath the candelabra (faux candle) bulb.
Brocade: Usually made from rich, colorful silks, Brocade is a decorative fabric with intricate patterns (often showing nature-- like flowers or plants). Using a draw loom, Brocade weavers use an additional weft, which gives the fabric its embroidered appearance.
Buffet Lamp: Designed to sit atop a buffet table, console or credenza. Traditional Buffet Lamps are taller and thinner that standard table lamps, with smaller shades, too. Also known as a Console Lamp.
Button Light: A small, versatile display light/undercabinet light named for its shape: generally round and flat. Also known as a puck light.
Cane Glass: Technique of using colored glass rods to create unique art glass patterns; canes of glass can come in intricate and distinct patterns, such as the varied helix-twists of ballotini, laticcino or zanfirico.
Canopy: A usually decorative plate that coordinates with the rest of a suspended fixture, installed flush to the ceiling to finish the look by covering any hole, wiring, etc.
Case Glass: Glass composed of two or more layers of glass in different colors (top layer is sometimes cut away to allow second layer to come through as background/contrast).
Cast Glass: Molten glass poured into a mold (sand cast) or kiln-cast using the lost wax method.
Casual: Design theme that describes any lighting fixture with soft, unobtrusive design, versatile enough to allow it to blend into the background of a wide variety of settings. Typically also has a relatively low price point.
CE Mark: CE Mark on a lighting product certifies that it has met European Union (EU) lighting safety requirements. The CE mark isn't used as an official certification for products in the United States.
Ceramic: Composed of clay, such as pottery and brick, prepared by heating and then cooled to reach its usable, hard state. Comes from the Greek word keramikos, meaning "of pottery" or "for pottery."
CFL: An acronym for Compact Fluorescent, used when defining what type of bulb is used in a fixture. CFLs often have a medium base size, compatible with most fixtures that require Edison-type bulbs.
Chinoiserie: From the French term signifying "Chinese-esque." Especially popular in the 17th and 18th centuries due to increased trade with East Asia, it is an ornate European design style that includes elaborate and fanciful Chinese-inspired motifs. Other characteristics include heavy gilding and lacquering, blue and white color palettes and asymmetrical forms.
Cladding: Covering one material with another to achieve a unique, often fluid effect.
Classic: Also known as Traditional lighting. Classic lighting designs are reminiscent of past styles, with traditional warm colors and stylized looks.
Clear: Transparent, colorless.
Color Temperature: Color temperature indications the relative color that a light source has. It is measured on the Kelvin temperature scale. It may seem paradoxical, but light sources that are usually referred to as having a warm light are actually lower in color temperature -- usually around 2700-3000 K. The higher numbers (over 5000 K) tend to have a cool blue light.
Console Lamp: Designed to set on a buffet table, console or credenza. Also known as Buffet Lamp. Traditional Buffet Lamps are taller and thinner that standard table lamps, with smaller shades, too. Also known as a Buffet Lamp.
Contemporary: A product design or room decor that reflects what is most in style today. Contemporary lighting designs are usually sleek and uncluttered, and they often include natural wood or silver finishes, neutral colors and simple lines.
Cord Cover: A cord cover often accompanies a pin-up kit for a wall sconce. The cord cover, which is usually metal, is affixed to the wall, with the cord hidden inside. It neatly covers the electric cord as it heads down to the wall outlet plug.
Cottage: The Cottage style is eclectically based on several locales...a traditional English garden cottage, an American Craftsman bungalow (cottage), a modern traditional country cottage. What makes them similar is an airy, fresh and relaxed feeling, as if the cottage is on permanent vacation.
Country: This style combines traditional, rustic and cozy. Colors are usually soft and often include milk white paints and medium wood finishes. Lighting and furnishes have traditional and antiqued elements. Floral and checked patterns are used as brighter accent pieces.
Country French: Very similar to just plain 'country' -- an emphasis on traditional touches, natural accents and light colors -- with an old world rustic feel added in.
Craftsman: A style of architecture and design popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright, defined by bold lines, a simple appearance and handmade components.
CRI: CRI = color rendering index. This number, which can go from 0 to 100, measures the ability of a light or bulb accurately renders colors. The high the number, the better, with most quality bulbs these days measuring at least in the 80s.
Crystal: At Lumens, crystal refers to the high quality transparent glass used as part of chandeliers, wall sconces and other lights (as well as in fine glassware). This crystal has a high degree of brilliance and optical purity, and it has a unique and much celebrated way of magnifying and transforming normal light.
CSA Mark: A safety accreditation from the main Canadian lighting safety testing company, Canadian Standards Association International. It's most often used to certify that a lighting fixture conforms to Canadian safety standards.
Damp Locations: An indoor or covered outdoor location that sometimes gets moisture accumulation. Damp locations include some bathrooms, indoor pools and covered patios.
Dark Sky Compliant: Designation given to outdoor lighting fixtures that meets the International Dark Sky Association's (IDA) requirements for reducing waste of ambient light, including being fully shielded, within maximum wattage limits, etc.; established in the interest of saving energy, maximizing safely and maintaining the natural ambience of the night sky.
DC Motor: DC fan motors are being increasing used in ceiling fans, since they are quieter and generally use less energy than AC fan motors. In fact, DC (Direct Current) fan motors use up to 70% less energy--they only use electricity to start up the motor (a magnetic drive keeps the fan going).
Decorator: Design theme that refers to any lighting fixture with outstanding decorative qualities (shape, pattern, color, etc.), making it ideal for both jazzing up and illuminating a design scheme. Lumens.com uses this to classify table and floor lamps that possess that extra decorative quality for adding the final touch to a room.
Design: Can refer to so many things. Including...the process of developing the look of a item. Or...the overall look of a piece.
Dichroic/Dichromatic Glass: Glass with two colors; similar to Iridescent.
Die-cast metal: Metal form created by forcing molten metal into a mold under high pressure. Most appropriate for non-ferrous (or iron-free) metals and metal alloys, such as aluminum, copper, zinc, lead or tin. Depending on the amount of pressure used, this technique is suitable for reproducing intricate details.
Diffuser: Any shade, lens, disc or other structure that surrounds a light bulb and diffuses its direct light into a softer, more generalized wash of light.
Downrod/Stem: A rigid extension often used in the suspension and height adjustment of pendants, ceiling fans and other suspended fixtures; installed between the fixture and a corresponding canopy. Available in varying diameters, lengths and finishes as needed.
Dry Locations: An indoor location that doesn't get regular moisture accumulation. Dry locations include kitchens, living/dining rooms, bedrooms and most bathrooms.
Dupioni Silk: Silk woven out of two or more color threads, giving it a multi-faceted, shimmering appearance. Thread thicknesses may also vary, creating unique texture in the finished fabric.
Early American: This style is based on the functional and decorative elements of lighting and furnishing common in the early years of the United States. Elements included dark woods, a sturdy rustic feel and a bit of ornamentation.
Edison base (bulb): This is the standard size bulb base, available in a range of voltages and bulb styles (i.e. E12 for candelabra, E26 for medium or standard size). It's called the Edison because he is associated with the invention of the incandescent bulb.
Efficacy: Simple put, "efficacy" is a determination of how energy efficient a lamp/bulb/light source is. More scientifically, "efficacy" refers to the amount of light produced by a light source (in lumens) as a ratio of the amount of power need to produce it (in watts).
Electronic Transformer: Used to convert energy into a different voltage. In home use, transformers are typically used to convert a higher voltage into a lower one so fixtures and appliances aren't overloaded.
Enamel: A smooth, vitreous, and usually opaque coating made out of melted and fused glass powder that's baked onto metal, glass or ceramic pieces for protection and/or decoration. (Also the hard surface of a tooth.)
ENEC Mark: This is a voluntary label in Europe that means, when translated, "Electrical Certification concerning European Standard." This mark indicates compliance with European Standards (aka EN Standards).
Energy Efficient: Uses significantly less energy and saves substantially on energy costs. In lighting, energy efficiency is most often associated with light bulbs. Fluorescent and LED are considered to be the most energy efficient lighting options in the marketplace today.
Etched/Acid-Etched Glass: A specific process using acid or abrasion to create frosted glass; often used to create opaque or translucent patterns in otherwise transparent glass.
ETL Listed: The ETL Listed mark indicates testing and rating of lighting fixtures by the independent safety certification company, Intertek. For lighting products, it is a fully accepted alternative to the UL Listed mark.
Extruded: In lighting, often used in describing the process of creating aluminum or plastic parts of the fixture. These extruded parts are pushed through an opening in a die, making them strong and lightweight.
Felt: A cloth that is manufactured by matting and pressing wool fibers (instead of being woven).
Fiberglass: Material consisting of numerous very-fine fibers of glass.
Filament: The part of an incandescent light bulb that actually glows -- when it is heated up to a high enough temperature.
Filigree: A metal-working technique that involves twisting thin threads of metal to create an intricate, often scroll-like design. Can be seen in the detailing of some classic-styled lighting, wall plates and ceiling canopies.
Finial: In lighting, a finial can have a few meanings. A table or floor lamp finial sets on top of the lamp's harp (the metal surrounding the bulb), and its purpose is decorative. Chandeliers can also have finials, and their decorative, usually glass finials are at the bottom of the chandelier stem.
Finish: Used to describe the protective coating or decorative color on furniture or other fixtures. Finishes come in all types, ranging from a typical polyurethane varnish (which adds great protection against damage) to a wax (which only provides short term shine and minimal protection against damage). On lighting fixtures, finishes react with metal to produce a desired effect, such as giving a sconce a rusted appearance, or adding a patina.
Floodlight: A fixture that provides a wide, even wash of light; especially useful in exterior/landscape applications.
Fluorescent: Long-living light source that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor, which produces ultraviolet rays that causes a phosphor to fluoresce and create visible light. Commonly available in industrial tubes or twisted Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).
Flushmount: Light fixture mounted flush to a ceiling; useful in low-ceilinged areas.; A non-SI (International System of Units) unit of illumination used to measure the amount and intensity of light occurring evenly in one foot around a source. One footcandle is equal to one lumen per square foot. SI-derived equivalents are lux (when referring to illuminance) or candela (light intensity).
Forged/Hand-Forged: When a metalsmith hammers a piece of hot metal into a certain shape, the result is a hand-forged item. There are other, less manual methods of forging that involve pressing, rolling or dropping (into a die). Those result in forged items.
Freeform: Freeform is the term used for an irregular flowing shape, typically used in industrial or fabric design. At Lumens.com, we use this term to define lampshades or fixtures that cannot be otherwise categorized into traditional shapes.
Fresnel lens: Originally developed in the early 19th century for use in lighthouses. Typically thinner, and wider than other lenses, a Fresnel lens is essentially an array of prisms: deeply ridged and set into separate concentric sections. The result is improved refractivity and dispersal of light.
Frit: Crushed glass melted into other glass to create dappled patterns.
Frosted Glass: Glass that is made translucent or opaque through sandblasting or etching; often results in matte surface texture.
Functional: Design style focused primarily on superior usability. Such fixtures utilize durable materials and the latest technologies. Often also refers to the mechanical components of a larger system, i.e. housings, trims, power supplies, etc.
Fused Glass: The process of firing glass within a range of high temperatures to affect depth, shape and texture.
Galvanized/Galvanization: Named for Italian scientist Luigi Galvani. A thin layer of metal (often zinc) is coated over a underlying ferrous metal (iron, steel) to keep it from rusting. Accomplished either by electrodeposition/electroplating or hot-dip galvanization.
Gooseneck: A type of adjustable, bendy neck not unlike that of a goose. Typically used for task lighting.
Grazing: A technique used particularly in landscape lighting. A spot or flood light is positioned to grazes a surface (wall, tree), showing its texture and creating drama.
Halogen: Small incandescent bulb that uses halogen to stabilize the tungsten on the filament and extend the bulb's life.
Hand-Tufted: One of the primary methods of creating a handwoven rug. A hand-tufted rug is created by repeatedly pushing wool yarn (or acrylic) through the rug's backing --which creates a "tuft." A "tufting gun" is used to assist in pushing the yarn through the backing. Hand-Tufted rugs are known for their durability and their intricate detailing.
HID: High Intensity Discharge. A type of light bulb that produces light by means of an electrical arc forming between tungsten electrodes. This arc--and overall light intensity--is facilitated by gas and metal salts within the enclosed tube. The result has high luminous efficacy. Various gases result in a variety of HIDs, including mercury vapor, metal halide, sodium vapor, xenon short-arc lamps, etc.
High Efficacy Lighting: In a general sense, energy efficient lamps/bulbs/light sources are considered to be high efficacy. However, high efficacy is usually carefully defined in state, local or federal building codes that require energy efficient lighting in new buildings and remodels.
Hollywood Regency: A take-off of 1930s Art Deco design, inspired by Hollywood's Golden Age, and especially focused on the opulent, glamorous elements. Details include an eclectic mix of fringed lampshades, crystal chandeliers, lacquered furniture, velvet drapes, etc. The intended emphasis is on entertaining and impressing. Furniture pieces are often inspired by vintage William Haines and Dorothy Draper designs.
Housing: A housing is the protective safety covering around a recessed downlight. Both remodel and new home housing units are made.
IC Rated/Rating: IC stands for "Insulated Contact." An IC rating is required for light fixtures that will be installed in direct contact with a building's insulation material in the wall or ceiling.
Incandescent: Recognizable as the "standard" light bulb, with electricity heating a tungsten filament enough to produce visible light.
Industrial: Takes its cue from the look and feel of items you'd normally see in past or present industrial settings. So the lighting, furniture and other objects common to factories, docks, warehouses, etc. are re-thought and re-scaled for residential use.
Interior Decorator: Interior Decorators help to choose the finishing touches in interior spaces, from paint colors to furniture.
Interior Designer: Interior Designers help to create new interior looks and coordinate all the efforts necessary to achieve that design look.
International: See Bauhaus style.
IP Rating: IP stands for "Ingress Protection." These two-digit ratings indicate degree of protection offered against solid objects (1st digit) and water (2nd digit) that a lighting fixture's enclosure can withstand.
Iridescent: Lustrous rainbow color surface effect.
Jacquard: Refers to a highly decorative, elaborately woven pattern found in certain fabrics, produced on a jacquard loom. Patterns range from floral to geometric and can be seen on everything from pillows to neckties.
Journeyman: A trade and/or craftsperson who has completed an apprenticeship but has not yet reached master status. From the French "journee," or a period of one day, referring to the traditional right to charge a fee for each day's work.
Kelvin: A unit of measurement for temperature. In lighting, the Kelvin temperature scale is used when measuring the Color Temperature (ranging from 2700 K to 5500 K) of a light source/light bulb.
Lacquer: A clear or colored varnish that dries as solvents evaporate, producing a hard, durable finish. Often confused with shellac, lacquer is actually considered to be more durable.
Laminate: A material created by joining two or more layers together, usually plastic to plastic or another base material. A common method for creating safety glass, Formica, wood flooring and furniture. See "veneer."
Lamp: A word that means many things, alas. Lamp can be used in the names of table and floor lighting ("table lamp"). Also used (in the lighting world) as a synonym for "bulb." In Europe, lamp is often used as a general term, much like we use lighting in the United States.
Lamping: Refers to the type of light used in a fixture, ex. Fluorescent, Incandescent, Halogen, LED or Xenon.
Lead Crystal: A type of glass containing a high proportion of lead within crystallized quartz, typically used for decorative items such as bobeches on a chandelier.
LED: Light Emitting Diode. A semi-conductor light source that illuminates via electroluminescence (in which electrons recombine with holes in the bulb, producing light-emitting photons).
Line Voltage: Voltage supplied directly at point of use, draws power directly from a main/house current; any standard electrical outlets are line-voltage.
Linear Suspension: A cross between a pendant and a chandelier, a suspension that includes multiple lights/shades arranged along a single linear arm. The single arm and lengthy orientation results in such a fixture also being termed an island pendant or island light.
Linen: Lightweight fabric made from flax plant fibers. Typically crisp and textured feeling, although it can range from stiff and rough to soft and smooth depending on how it was manufactured.
Lodge: Basically, anything that one could imagine in a log cabin in the mountains. These are substantial pieces that tend to feature natural materials like leather and wood, and often incorporate forest and/or woodland creature motifs.
Low Efficacy Lighting: In a general sense, lamps/bulbs/light sources that are not energy efficient are consider to be low efficacy. Most incandescent bulbs are low efficacy. State, local or federal building codes usually limit the amount of low efficacy lighting allowed in new buildings and remodels.
Low Voltage: An electrical engineering term that broadly identifies safety considerations of an electricity supply system based on the voltage used. Typically used to describe 12 volt fixtures, for example.
Lumens: A measurement of the amount of light that radiates from a light bulb (in all directions). The more lumens, the brighter the bulb. Lumens are listed on most bulb packages, and nowadays are more accurate than watts in indicating brightness.
Marine Grade: These fixtures have been manufactured to withstand harsh coastal environments. Marine Grade light fixtures are water tight and made from noncorrosive materials (like galvanized metal or stainless steel). They are often reinforced with extra coats of lacquer or powder-coated finishes or paints.
Master Craftsman: Also, Master Tradesman. Traditionally, a person who, having gone through apprentice and journeyman status, was accepted into their craft or trade's respective guild. While guilds no longer exist, this progression model is still practiced informally in areas such as plumbing, woodworking, electrical work, etc.
Master Point Glass: A durable opaque glass that is distinguished by its nearly imperceptible fine lines. It is sometimes used as the glass lens in recessed lighting--and often is used for shower doors and office partitions.
Matte: A way of describing the surface of an object as dull or without lustre. In metallurgy, this refers to the unfinished metallic product of the smelting of certain sulfide ores, especially those of copper.
MDF: Also known as Medium Density Fibreboard. It is an engineered wood product made out of broken-down hard and soft wood fibers, which are combined with wax and resin and re-composed with heat and pressure into workable planks. Denser than plywood or particle board, but suitable for similar applications.
Metallization: Coating metal on the surface of non-metallic objects, such as with mirrors. Different methods of metallization include spraying, immersion, vacuum metallization, etc.
Mid-Century Modern: The architectural, interior and product design form that generally describes mid-20th century developments in modern design, architecture, and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965. Influenced by the simple, natural shapes found in Scandinavian design.
Milk Glass: Opaque or translucent pressed or blown milky white or colored glass.
Millefiori: Italian for "a thousand flowers," a very intricate art glass pattern produced with numerous tiny colored and patterned glass rods via the murrine technique.
Modern: A ubiquitous and sometimes misunderstood word. On one hand, Modern can refer to designs and styles of today and is often synonymous with contemporary. On the other, the Modern design movement took place in the 1960s and into the 1970s...bright colors, overstated roundness of form, cool new plastics of all colors...groovy, man.
Molded/Moulded Glass: Molten glass is blown or pressed into a mold, where it assumes the interior shape and pattern before it cools and hardens.
Monobloc: Refers to the manufacturing process of a knife. A monobloc knife is stamped or cold-forged rather than hot-forged. This process is less expensive, but it also means that a monobloc knife may not hold its edge as long as a hot-forged knife.
Mosaic Glass: Small pieces of colored glass arranged to form a larger cohesive image or pattern.
Mouth-Blown: A glassforming technique that involves inflating the molten glass into a bubble, or parison, with the aid of a blowpipe or blow tube.
Murano Glass: A general term for any type of art glass created by glassmakers on the Italian island of Murano; encompasses a variety of art glass manufacturing techniques.
Murrine: A complex form of glass cane-working; intricate patterns made in a glass cane/rod, revealed when cut in cross-sections.
Nautical: Design style inspired by the sea. Such fixtures often emulate traditional lanterns and other structures found on ships, lighthouses and other coastal dwellings. In order to endure the same wet, saline conditions, they tend to be made of durable materials, including stainless steel, bronze and thick, frosted glass.
Not UL/ETL Listed: Indicates that a non-U.S. vendor has chosen not to get UL or ETL certification for their lighting fixture (in addition to any European or specific country certification they may have obtained).
Old World: A general term for any traditional design that hails from the "Old World," or Europe. Items of this style tend to have an antiqued look, with deep yet muted natural colors. Such items also often incorporate floral and scroll patterns.
OLED: Organic Light Emitting Diode. OLEDs are made of thin strips of organic molecules that create light when connected to electricity. They are flexible, energy efficient, strong and lightweight. Decorative OLED lighting fixtures are just starting to appear in the U.S. market.
Onyx: A form of quartz, either solid black or, more commonly, in banded colors. The name comes from the Greek word for "claw" or "fingernail," probably because the flesh color and sheen of a banded variety of onyx resemble that of a fingernail.
Opal/Opalescent Glass: Translucent or opaque glass, usually of a single milky white hue or two or more swirling colors; usually smooth, glossy surface texture.
Opaque: Allows light to pass through, but greatly obscured.
Optic Glass: Slightly wavy, watery-looking glass surface texture.
Parchment: Made from the skin of sheep, goats, or other animals and prepared for use as a material on which to write.
Pendant: Suspended light fixture with one shade; sizes range between large drum pendants and mini pendants.
Pharmacy lamp: A functional lighting design based on floor and table lamps used in 19th century apothecaries. Offers adjustable task lighting in a subtle classic design.
Photocell: A sensor that can detect how much daylight is present. Primarily used in outdoor lights, photocells allow the light to turn on and off automatically. This saves energy, money and improves safety at night.
Photometry: Basically, the measurement of light in terms of perceived brightness to the human eye.
Pile: The material used to make a rug, apart from the backing. Pile height helps determine a rug's texture, wearability, and ease of maintenance.
Pilling: An effect to the surface of fabric caused by cleaning or abrasion, which unravels fibers. The resulting loose ends twist to form little balls, or pills, on a fabric's surface.
Pin-Up Kit: Allows a wall light to be plugged into an electrical outlet (instead of being direct wired). It is like adding a extension cord to a wall sconce.
Pitch: Numerous definitions. When potentially related to design/construction, 1) describes the angle/slope of fan blades (blade pitch), or the inclination angle of a roof (roof pitch); 2) resin produced by plants or made out of petroleum.
Pivot: 1) A short shaft or rod upon which something rotates or swings; 2) the center point in a rotational system.
Plisse: From the French term, "to pleat." Fabric that's given a puckered finish via treatment with a caustic agent (i.e. sodium hydroxide); also the term for the finish itself.
Plywood: Made from thin sheets of wood (aka veneers) that are glued together to form a plank. Some of the benefits of plywood include strength, durability, and resistance to cracking, shrinking and warping. Many wood fan blades are made from plywood.
PMMA: Stands for polymethyl methacrylate, a transparent thermoplastic sometimes used as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass; for example, the barriers around an ice rink. Trademarked under the names Plexiglas and Lucite.
Polished Glass: Glass with high-gloss surface texture; created by buffing to a high sheen (by hand or machine).
Polycarbonate: A fancy word for plastic. More succinctly, polycarbonate is a synthetic thermoplastic resin used for molding.
Polyester: A variety of synthetic polymers. Commercially, polyester is usually found in the form of polyethylene terephthlalate (PET), which is used to make plastic bottles or, when produced in very thin threads, a silky feeling fabric.
Polyethylene: A widely-used type of plastic that is primarily used in packaging, including plastic bags.
Polyurethane: A flexible and durable polymer that is often used in making, among other things, foam seating, carpet backing, airplane wings and baby toys.
Porcelain: From the Italian "porcellana." A glassy ceramic material made by forming clay and baking it in a kiln at high temperatures. Its strength and translucence is largely dependent on the exact temperature at which it is fired. Sometimes referred to as china (since China was where the product originated).
Post Light: A lighting fixture that attaches to a wood post, usually seen at the front entrance to a home.
Post-Modern: A movement away from modernism, postmodern design became largely popular in the 1970s and 80s. It is a rejection of the functional, minimal use of materials and lack of embellishment adopted by modernist designers. Post-modernists typically place form over function.
Powder-coated: A dry powder finish applied electrostatically and then heated, allowing it to flow together and form a skin. The powder is typically a thermoplastic or polymer applied onto a metallic surface. It is a thick coating, highly resistant to scratching, cracking or peeling.
Prairie: An architecture style popular in the late 19th, early 20th Century so-named due to the focus on blending in with the surrounding landscape, most easily observed in the horizontal lines, solid construction and natural building elements and hues. Coined by H. Allen Brooks, an architectural historian who used this phrase to describe the popular architects of the time. Similar to the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Pressed Glass: Glass-making technique originated in the U.S. in the 1820s whereby molten glass is pressed into a mold with a plunger; commonly used to mass-produce carnival glass and beads.
Puck Light: A display/under cabinet light named for its shape: generally round and flat. Also known as a button light.
Purism: Purism was a form of art and architecture that rejected the decorative trend of cubism and encouraged a return to clear, ordered forms expressive of the modern machine age. Popularized by the French painter Amedee Ozenfant and the architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret (Le Corbusier).
Pulegoso Glass: Glass that is made with many air bubbles, to the point that it is nearly opaque. The process itself is intriguing – a homogeneous and refined molten mass (with no air bubbles or impurities) is vigorously mixed in with salts (generally sodium carbonate or bicarbonate) that decompose due to the heat, liberating gases (carbon dioxide) that disperse in the form of bubbles of different sizes.
PVC: Short for polyvinyl chloride, PVC is a biologically and chemically resistant substance that has been combined with additives to make it more malleable. It's commonly used in sewage pipes, window and door frames--even vinyl records.
Quartz: One of the most abundant minerals on Earth, which comes in a wide range of varieties, including Onyx, Amethyst and Citrine. Quartz is used as a crystal oscillator in clocks and watches, among other uses.
Quick Ship: At Lumens.com, the term "Quick Ship" is applied to lighting, furniture and accessories that are shipped within 24 hours on weekdays.
Rail Lighting: Like monorail or track lighting, rail lighting holds lighting fixtures to a rail on the ceiling. The rail can often be shaped to fit a specific space; often for use with spot lighting and wall washing fixtures to highlight artwork or other important features in a space.
Rattan: Rattan is the name for hundreds of species of vine-like palms in Asia and Africa. Because it is beautiful, durable and resists splintering, Rattan is often used in tropical style indoor/outdoor furniture.
Reeded Glass: Unlike the wavy effects of rippled glass, reeded glass refers to repeated vertical or horizontal lines along a sheet of glass. Reeded glass is used in wall scones, bath bars and pendant lights, creating a sleek, refined look. There are several types of reeded glass. For example, English Reeded glass features ribs of glass that run the long direction, and Cross Reeded glass features a crosshatched pattern.
Resin: Resin is a hard substance derived from plants that is somewhat like sap and often mistaken for it. Its tough composition makes it a great option for making a lighting fixture more durable.
Restoration: Often refers to lighting fixtures that reflect historic pieces like Edison and School House lights, distinguished by stainless steel, halophone glass and geometric shapes used in turn-of-the-century industrial design.
Retro: Literally, of the past. Can refer to any design scheme with elements inherent to a previous time period, i.e. a 1950s diner kitchen, a 1960s "Mad Men"-inspired living room, etc.
Ribbed Glass: Glass with deep ridged surface texture, usually created via molding/pressing.
Rippled Glass: Glass with deep wave pattern surface texture.
Rope Lighting: A string of lights within insulating, flexible clear plastic tubing, making it suitable for interior and exterior applications. The plastic tubing comes in a variety of thicknesses, with lights of various colors and lamping types (incandescent or LED), and functioning with steady or animated illumination.
Runner: A rug that is proportionately much longer than it is wide. Typically used in narrow applications like hallways or stairways.
Rustic: Rural and rough, this design theme is what one might typically find in cabins, lodges and ranches. The look is heavy and bold with a neutral color palette.
Scavo Glass: Italian for "excavation;" glass frosted to give the effect of dusty antiquity, of having been underground for a long time.
Sconce: Light fixture installed on and supported solely by a wall.
Seeded/Seedy Glass: Glass infused with tiny air bubbles; creates refractive effect and wavy surface texture.
Semi-Flushmount: Light fixture mounted close to a ceiling, typically with a drop of two to four inches and a visible, decorative ceiling canopy.
Shellac: A resin secreted by the female lac bug found in the forests of India and Thailand. It provides good insulation and seals out moisture. Generally replaced by lacquer in the 1920s and 30s.
Slope Adaptor: A slope adaptor is used with ceiling fans that need to hang from a sloped ceiling. Some slope adaptors can accommodate for ceiling pitches up to 46 degrees, some up to only 33 degrees and some less than that.
Slumped Glass: Glass-making technique in which heated glass is bent or slumped over a mold.
Soft Contemporary: A design style that lies in-between transitional and contemporary. It takes the clean lines of contemporary and relaxes them somewhat by incorporating warm and soft colors and materials.
Spotlight: A light with a narrow, focused beam meant to highlight a work of art or other important elements in a space.
Stained Glass: Multi-colored and usually flat glass components crafted to create cohesive patterns, usually held together with lead solder or copper foil; think Tiffany.
Stainless Steel: A steel alloy containing 10.5-11% chromium, which makes it resistant to staining, rust or corrosion. Different surface finishes and grades exist depending on the application. In certain instances, may be called corrosion-resistant steel (CRES).
Style: Wow, what a popular word--you'll see it everywhere on Lumens.com. Usually, we use 'style' as a way to characterize the overall look and feel of a piece. The color, shape, size and materials help determine a product's style, such as Contemporary or Traditional.
Suspension: Suspension lighting refers to pendant lights that hang from two or more ceiling canopies.

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