opalescence

English

noun

Definitions

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

Etymology

Affix from English opal.

Origin

English

opal

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

chloropal English
opal English
opaled English
opalesce English
opalescent English
opalesque English
opaleye English
opalic English
opaline English
opalise English
opalize English
opalotype English
semiopal English
opale French
โอปอล Thai
opal Cebuano