hydrophane

[hahy-druh-feyn]

noun

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

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for hydrophane

Historical Examples of hydrophane

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

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

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