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hydrophane

[hahy-druh-feyn]
noun
  1. a partly translucent variety of opal, which becomes more translucent or transparent when immersed in water.
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Origin of hydrophane

First recorded in 1775–85; hydro-1 + -phane
Related formshy·droph·a·nous [hahy-drof-uh-nuh s] /haɪˈdrɒf ə nəs/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hydrophane

Historical Examples

  • It was milk-white, and became translucent in water, like that beautiful variety of opal, the hydrophane.

    White Shadows in the South Seas

    Frederick O'Brien

British Dictionary definitions for hydrophane

hydrophane

noun
  1. a white partially opaque variety of opal that becomes translucent in water
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Derived Formshydrophanous (haɪˈdrɒfənəs), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012