opalesce
Definition
Verb: 1. To exhibit a play of colors like that of an opal: To show a soft, shimmering, and iridescent interplay of colors, similar to the visual effect seen in an opal gemstone. 2. To reflect light or colors in a soft, shimmering, and milky way: To shine with a luminous, pearly, or milky iridescence, often with shifting colors.
Examples of Usage
- Exhibit colors like an opal:
- This nitrate solution opalesces under certain conditions, revealing hints of blue and green.
- The special glass opalesces in the sunlight, creating a beautiful, shifting spectrum.
- Reflect light softly and shimmeringly:
- Distant clouds opalesce like pale brocade at dawn.
- Raindrops caught in a sunbeam seem to opalesce, each one a tiny, shimmering jewel.
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Scientific Context: The verb is often used in chemistry, physics, and materials science to describe a specific optical phenomenon where a substance scatters light to produce a milky iridescence.
- The colloidal suspension began to opalesce as it approached its critical point.
Variants and Related Words
- Opalescent (adjective): Having a milky iridescence like that of an opal.
- She wore an opalescent nail polish that changed color in the light.
- Opalescence (noun): The quality or state of being opalescent; the play of colors.
- The opalescence of the soap bubble was mesmerizing.
Synonyms
- Iridesce: To shine with a rainbow-like play of colors.
- Shimmer: To shine with a soft, tremulous light.
- Glisten: To shine by reflecting light from a wet or smooth surface.
Related Idioms or Phrases
- (To have) an opalescent quality: This phrase describes something that possesses the characteristic soft, shifting shine of an opal.
- The morning fog had an opalescent quality, softening the landscape.
Verb
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exhibit a play of colors like that of an opal
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This nitrate opalesces under certain conditions
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reflect light or colors like an opal
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Distant clouds opalesce like pale brocade
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raindrops caught in a sunbeam seem to opalesce
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