ALBEDO

albedo, reflective power

(noun) the ratio of reflected to incident light

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

albedo (countable and uncountable, plural albedos or albedoes)

(physics, meteorology, astronomy, optics) The fraction of incident light or radiation reflected by a surface or body, commonly expressed as a percentage.

(botany) The whitish inner portion of the rind of citrus fruits that is a source of pectin, commonly referred to as the pith.

(alchemy) One of the four major stages of the magnum opus, involving purification of the prima materia.

Coordinate terms: nigredo, citrinitas, rubedo

Usage notes

Albedo is to be distinguished from reflectivity, which refers to one specific wavelength (monochromatic radiation).

Anagrams

• beload, doable

Source: Wiktionary

Al*be"do, n. Etym: [L., fr. albus white.]

Definition: Whiteness. Specifically: (Astron.) The ratio which the light reflected from an unpolished surface bears to the total light falling upon that surface.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition