opacity

American  

[oh-pas-i-tee] / oʊˈpæs ɪ ti /

noun

PLURAL

opacities

1. the state or quality of being opaque.

2. something opaque.

3. the degree to which a substance is opaque; capacity for being opaque.

4. Photography.  the proportion of the light that is absorbed by the emulsion on any given area of a film or plate.

5. obscurity of meaning.

6. mental dullness.

7. Medicine/Medical.  an opaque spot or area in normally clear or transparent tissue, as a cataract of the eye.

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opacity British  

/ əʊˈpæsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being opaque

2. the degree to which something is opaque

3. an opaque object or substance

4. obscurity of meaning; unintelligibility

5. physics photog the ratio of the intensity of light incident on a medium, such as a photographic film, to that transmitted through the medium

6. logic philosophy the property of being an opaque context

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Other Word Forms

• nonopacity noun

Etymology

Origin of opacity

First recorded in 1550–60, opacity is from the Latin word opācitās shade. See opaque, -ity

Example Sentences

In a market where opacity is the whole point, it is also a tricky feat.

From The Wall Street Journal

For markets already uneasy about the outlook for inflation, that opacity could become another source of volatility.

From Barron's

The show culminates with her paintings of windows from vernacular rural architecture, some with broken panes, capturing reflections of nature and pushing her play of transparency and opacity.

From New York Times

The Hackneys’ story — based on interviews, internal emails and legal documents — illustrates the opacity surrounding these algorithms.

From Seattle Times

The Hackneys’ story — based on interviews, internal emails and legal documents — illustrates the opacity surrounding these algorithms.

From Seattle Times