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opalesce

[ oh-puh-les ]
/ ˌoʊ pəˈlɛs /

verb (used without object), o·pal·esced, o·pal·esc·ing.

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

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Origin of opalesce

First recorded in 1810–20; back formation from opalescent

Words nearby opalesce

opacify, opacity, opacus, opah, opal, opalesce, opalescence, opalescent, opaleye, opal glass, opaline
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for opalesce

opalesce
/ (ˌəʊpəˈlɛs) /

verb

(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