How Do You Spell OPALESCENCE?

Pronunciation: [ˌə͡ʊpəlˈɛsəns] (IPA)

The word "opalescence" (/ˌoʊ.pəˈles.əns/) refers to the property of a material to exhibit iridescence, or the color-changing effect when viewed from different angles. This word is spelled with the letters "o-p-a-l-e-s-c-e-n-c-e", with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable "o" is pronounced like "oh", the "P" and "L" sounds are emphasized and the "s" in the third syllable is pronounced like "z". The final syllable "-ence" is pronounced like "ense".

OPALESCENCE Meaning and Definition

1. Opalescence is a noun that refers to the visual phenomenon characterized by a play of colors, often resembling the iridescent hues of opal gemstones. This term derives from the Latin word "opalis," meaning opal, indicating the resemblance of this phenomenon to the shimmering, multi-colored appearance of opal stones.

   Generally, opalescence occurs when light is scattered or diffracted by small particles within a material, causing the colors to shift and change depending on the angle of observation. This effect is commonly seen in certain minerals, such as opal, where the internal structure causes light to refract and create a mesmerizing display of colors. Additionally, opalescence can also occur in liquids or gases that contain suspended particles, such as milk, bubbles, or certain types of clouds.

   Opalescence is often described as a beautiful and mystical display of vibrant colors, with pastel or rainbow-like hues visible within the material. This optical phenomenon has captivated artists, scientists, and nature enthusiasts for centuries, and its ethereal beauty is often associated with enchantment and otherworldly qualities.

   In a figurative sense, the term opalescence can be used to describe anything that exhibits a similar quality of vibrant, shifting colors or changes in appearance. For instance, an opalescent painting may feature a diverse array of hues blending seamlessly together, creating a striking visual effect.

2. The reflection of a milky and iridescent light.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for OPALESCENCE *

• opalescense 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for OPALESCENCE

• opalesence
• obolescence
• ipalescence
• kpalescence
• lpalescence
• ppalescence
• 0palescence
• 9palescence
• ooalescence
• olalescence
• o-alescence
• o0alescence
• opzlescence
• opslescence
• opwlescence
• opalescece
• opelescence
• opalessence
• oppulescence
• Palescense
• Palesence
• Paliescence
• opalesance

Etymology of OPALESCENCE

The word "opalescence" is derived from the Latin word "opalescens", which is the present participle of the verb "opalescere". This Latin word is formed by combining "opalum" (opal) with the suffix "-escere", which denotes the process of becoming or displaying a particular quality. Thus, "opalescence" essentially means "displaying opal-like qualities". The term is used to describe the play of colorful iridescence that resembles the opalescent gemstone.

Similar spelling words for OPALESCENCE

• opalescent,
• opalesce.

Plural form of OPALESCENCE is OPALESCENCES