OPALESCENCE

opalescence, iridescence

(noun) the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

opalescence (countable and uncountable, plural opalescences)

the state of being opalescent

(physics) 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

Source: Wiktionary


O`pal*es"cence, n. (Min.)

Definition: A reflection of a milky or pearly light from the interior of a mineral, as in the moonstone; the state or quality of being opalescent.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

27 June 2025

SQUARE

(adjective) having four equal sides and four right angles or forming a right angle; “a square peg in a round hole”; “a square corner”


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Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

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