translucent meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

translucent

adj

UK /tɹænzˈluː.sənt/ · US /tɹænzˈlu.sənt/

Etymology From Latin trānslūcentem, accusative of trānslūcēns, present participle of trānslūcēre.

Allowing light to pass through, but diffusing it.

Near-synonym: semitransparent
The window-panes, encrusted with perennial deposits of Atmosphere, were less transparent than translucent.1913, Louis Joseph Vance, chapter 1, in The Day of Days:

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On the windows of the nearer buildings the sun cast glittering beams, but further away a faint, translucent mist hid the city.1921, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 21, in Jill the Reckless:

Often, Of words or traits Clear, lucid, or transparent.

Mr. Blaine's powers and disposition shone resplendent. . . . the gavel in his practised hand, chiming in with varied tones that aptly enforced his words, from the sharp rat-tat-tat that recalled the House to decorum, to the vigorous thunder that actually drowned unparliamentary speech; rulings, repartee, translucent explanation flashing from his lips as quick as lighting.1884, Henry J. Ramsdell, Life and Public Services of Hon. James G. Blaine, Hubbard, pages 105–106:
I thought you'd come round to my view, but I own I was startled at your not seeing it from the beginning. The man is a translucent liar and knave.1904 June 11 and 18, Gilbert K[eith] Chesterton, “The Singular Speculation of the House-agent”, in The Club of Queer Trades, New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, published April 1905, →OCLC, pages 151–152:

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[T]he sun was in its greatest splendor, and the air was absolutely translucent. The lake and the mountains sprang out, sharp and clear.1919, Joseph A. Altsheler, chapter 3, in The Lords of the Wild:

Synonyms: semitransparent, semipellucid, semiopaque, through-shine, tralucent, translucent
Antonyms: opaque, transparent, turbid
Derived terms: nontranslucent, papulotranslucent, radiotranslucent, semitranslucent, subtranslucent, translucently
Related terms: translucence, translucency
Hyponyms: frosted, milky, semidiaphanous, sheer, nacreous, opalescent, opaline, pearlescent

noun

Etymology From Latin trānslūcentem, accusative of trānslūcēns, present participle of trānslūcēre.

Something that is translucent.

They can be obtained in various thicknesses and in many colors, including beautiful imitations of pearl, mother-of-pearl, veins and mottles, stratifications, roll stratifications, imitation corals, and all colors of translucents, transparents and opaques, grained ivory, shell (plain and corrugated mottle), onyx, wood effects, plaids, checks, stripes, metallic, bronze pearl plain, bronze pearl with fancy blocks, bronze pearl in veins and stripes, and what is called “essence pearl.”1935 March, F. L. Nowosatka, “Making Colorful Modern Rings from Old Toothbrush Handles”, in Raymond J. Brown, editor, Popular Science Monthly, volume 126, number 3, New York, N.Y.: Popular Science Publishing Co., Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, “The Home Workshop” section, page 97, column 2:
The trademark LaCie «eye» is back, metal is in the house and the translucents are finally in the trash.2002 October, Neil Poulton, quotee, “LaCie ‘d2’ drives”, in David Flynn, editor, APC, number 286, Sydney, N.S.W.: ACP Tech, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 166:

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These could be the raw material of both the massive cold phase, the giant molecular clouds and complexes through their connections with the translucent clouds, and also by ionization the warm medium. They and the translucents are also important for understanding the Lyα forest and therefore have cosmological implications.2004, S. N. Shore, “The Milky Way: Four Centuries of Discovery of the Galaxy”, in Emilio J[avier] Alfaro, Enrique Pérez, José Franco, editors, How Does the Galaxy Work? A Galactic Tertulia with Don Cox and Ron Reynolds (Astrophysics and Space Science Library; 315), Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, →ISBN, section 6 (Some New Questions), “Hot Gas, Warm Gas, Cool Gas, Cold Gas: Heating and Cooling” subsection, page 11: