noun
Describes a very soft, subdued light, often in darkness or twilight. Evokes a gentle, barely-there illumination.
部屋にはほの明かりだけがともっていた。
Only a faint light was lit in the room.
ほの明かりの中で彼女の顔がぼんやり見えた。
I could dimly see her face in the faint light.
薄明かり also means dim light, but 仄明かり emphasizes a more poetic, barely perceptible glow, while 薄明かり can be more matter-of-fact.
Compound of 仄 (hono, 'faint') + 明かり (akari, 'light'). The prefix 仄 is used in words like 仄暗い (honogurai, 'dimly dark') to indicate a slight degree.