hydrophane

American  

[hahy-druh-feyn] / ˈhaɪ drəˌfeɪn /

noun

1. a partly translucent variety of opal, which becomes more translucent or transparent when immersed in water.

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hydrophane British  

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊˌfeɪn, haɪˈdrɒfənəs /

noun

1. a white partially opaque variety of opal that becomes translucent in water

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Other Word Forms

• hydrophanous adjective

Etymology

Origin of hydrophane

First recorded in 1775–85; hydro- ¹ + -phane ( def. )

Example Sentences

Hydrophane, hī′dro-fān, n. a partly translucent variety of opal which becomes transparent when wetted.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

A fine quality of quartz amethyst has been obtained, and also hydrophane, known for its peculiar property of becoming transparent when immersed in water.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the deportment of various minerals, such as hydrophane and tabasheer, the transparency of tracing paper used by engineers, and many other considerations of the highest scientific interest, are involved in the simple enquiry of this unsuspecting little boy.

From Project Gutenberg

The fifth variety in order of value, is that known as the "hydrophane," which has an interesting characteristic in becoming transparent when immersed in water, and only then.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg