“In the flickering light of the cresset his features were shadowy, but a pair of lambent eyes shone surprisingly in the lurid glow.”

-The People of the Black Circle

Howard adored this term and used it often to sketch the menacing psyche of wild or supernatural beings. It was a favorite of his in illustrating reptilian or feline menace.

lambent

(ˈlæmbənt)

adj

1. (esp of a flame) flickering softly over a surface

2. glowing with soft radiance

3. (of wit or humour) light or brilliant

[C17: from the present participle of Latin lambere to lick]

ˈlambency n

ˈlambently adv