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opalesce

American  
[oh-puh-les] / ˌoʊ pəˈlɛs /

verb (used without object)

opalesced, opalescing

  1. to exhibit a play of colors like that of the opal.

opalesce British  
/ ˌəʊpəˈlɛs /

verb

  1. (intr) to exhibit a milky iridescence

"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

Etymology

Origin of opalesce

First recorded in 1810–20; back formation from opalescent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An infinite Resignedness Rains where the white Mists opalesce In the moon-shower....

From Poems of Paul Verlaine by Brownell, Gertrude Hall

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.