Opalescent

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /oʊpəˈlɛsənt/

Definitions

1. Having a milky iridescence that displays a play of colors similar to that seen in certain precious gemstones
2. Exhibiting a translucent quality with a shimmering effect that reflects a variety of colors, reminiscent of the appearance of opals
3. Displaying a soft iridescence that radiates different hues reminiscent of some gemstones while presenting a creamy and luminous appearance

Etymology: "Opal" comes from Latin "opalus," which passed into English from Greek "opallios," and the gemstone's name shows up in English long before the adjective built on it. The adjective "opalescent" is a simple construction: the noun "opal" with the suffix "-escent," which signals a process or state of beginning to show a quality, as in "iridescent" or "effervescent." English speakers formed it by analogy with "opalescence," the noun for the milky, shifting play of light that the stone is prized for. The word first appears in writing in 1814, and the dictionary entry traces it to the noun "opalescence" or to the French adjective "opalescent," so English and French were likely reaching for the same idea at around the same time. The pairing is telling: a gem that was once simply a pretty stone became a model for describing a whole family of soft, changing light.

Synonyms: iridescent, shimmering

Antonyms: dull, matte