nacrous

The seashell has a beautiful nacrous sheen inside.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having the luster or appearance of mother-of-pearl: "nacrous" describes something that shines or glows with the iridescent, pearly quality characteristic of nacre (the inner layer of some mollusk shells). It often implies a soft, milky white translucency with shimmering colors.

Usage Examples

• (The glaze had the pearly luster of mother-of-pearl.)
• (The fabric had a soft, iridescent sheen like nacre.)

Advanced Usage

• "nacrous clouds": meteorological term for polar stratospheric clouds that display a pearly iridescence.

  • The sky was filled with nacrous clouds, glowing with pastel colors at sunset. (High-altitude clouds with a mother-of-pearl appearance.)

• "nacrous finish": in art or manufacturing, a surface treatment that mimics the luster of nacre.

  • The jewelry box had a nacrous finish, making it look like it was carved from shell. (A surface with a pearly, iridescent coating.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nacreous (adj): the more common spelling of "nacrous"; identical in meaning.

  • The nacreous surface of the pearl reflected the light beautifully. (Having the luster of mother-of-pearl.)

• Nacre (n): the hard, iridescent substance that forms the inner layer of certain mollusk shells; mother-of-pearl.

  • The nacre inside the oyster shell is highly prized for jewelry. (The pearly material.)

Synonyms

• Pearly: resembling a pearl in luster or color.
• Iridescent: showing shifting colors like a rainbow.
• Opalescent: having a milky, rainbow-like sheen.

Related Idioms

• "Mother-of-pearl": a common term for the iridescent substance; used idiomatically to describe anything with a similar appearance.
  • The sky at dawn had a mother-of-pearl quality, soft and shimmering. (A poetic way to describe a nacrous appearance.)