translucent

[trans-loo-suh nt, tranz-]

See more synonyms for translucent on Thesaurus.com

adjective

permitting light to pass through but diffusing it so that persons, objects, etc., on the opposite side are not clearly visible: Frosted window glass is translucent but not transparent.
easily understandable; lucid: a translucent explication.
clear; transparent: translucent seawater.

Origin of translucent

1590–1600; < Latin trānslūcent- (stem of trānslūcēns), present participle of trānslūcere to shine through. See trans-, lucent

Related formstrans·lu·cence, trans·lu·cen·cy, nountrans·lu·cent·ly, adverbsub·trans·lu·cence, nounsub·trans·lu·cen·cy, nounsub·trans·lu·cent, adjective

Can be confusedtranslucent transparent (see synonym study at transparent)

Synonyms

See more synonyms for translucent on Thesaurus.com

1. See transparent.

Antonyms

1. opaque.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for translucence

Historical Examples

Its properties of translucence and refraction enabled skilful artists to perform marvels.
The Moon Metal
Garrett P. Serviss
These localities all consist of the opaque varieties, with a slight degree of translucence in some places.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
It differs chiefly from the dotted jaspers of Lake Michigan, in its translucence and green color.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
Another cause for its brilliancy was that its translucence was not obscured by paint.
Stained Glass Tours in France
Charles Hitchcock Sherrill
The translucence had a pathos for his intelligence which the pensive tilt of her head enhanced.
Between The Dark And The Daylight
William Dean Howells

British Dictionary definitions for translucence

translucent

adjective

allowing light to pass through partially or diffusely; semitransparent

Derived Formstranslucence or translucency, nountranslucently, adverb

Word Origin

C16: from Latin translūcēre to shine through, from trans- + lūcēre to shine

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

Word Origin and History for translucence

adj.

early 15c., from Medieval Latin translucentia, from Latin translucentem (see translucenct).

translucent

adj.

1590s, from Latin translucentem (nominative translucens), present participle of translucere "to shine through," from trans- "through" (see trans-) + lucere "to shine" (see light (n.)).

translucence in Science

translucent

[trăns-lōō′sənt]

Allowing radiation (most commonly light) to pass through, but causing diffusion. Frosted glass, for example, is translucent to visible light. Compare transparent.

translucent

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}translucent

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for translucence

Historical Examples

Its properties of translucence and refraction enabled skilful artists to perform marvels.

These localities all consist of the opaque varieties, with a slight degree of translucence in some places.

It differs chiefly from the dotted jaspers of Lake Michigan, in its translucence and green color.

Another cause for its brilliancy was that its translucence was not obscured by paint.

The translucence had a pathos for his intelligence which the pensive tilt of her head enhanced.

translucent

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for translucence

adj.

translucent

adj.

translucent

Origin of translucent