English Explanatory Dictionary

opalescence

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. the state of being opalescent
  2. the milky iridescent appearance of a dense transparent medium when it is illuminated by polychromatic visible radiation (such as sunlight) due to local fluctuations in its density and therefore in its refractive index

Pronunciation

/ˌəʉpəˈlesəns/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Neøn-opalescence.wav

Word forms

opalescence opalescences

Etymology

From opal + -escence.

Derived words

critical opalescence
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