OPALESCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does opalesce mean? 

• OPALESCE (verb)
  The verb OPALESCE has 2 senses:

1. reflect light or colors like an opal

2. exhibit a play of colors like that of an opal

  Familiarity information: OPALESCE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPALESCE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they opalesce    ... he / she / it opalesces   
Past simple: opalesced   
Past participle: opalesced   
-ing form: opalescing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Reflect light or colors like an opal

Classified under:

Verbs of raining, snowing, thawing, thundering

Context example:

raindrops caught in a sunbeam seem to opalesce

Hypernyms (to "opalesce" is one way to...):

reflect; shine (be bright by reflecting or casting light)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence example:

The coins opalesce

Derivation:

opalescence (the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface)

opalescent (having a play of lustrous rainbow colors)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exhibit a play of colors like that of an opal

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

This nitrate opalesces under certain conditions

Hypernyms (to "opalesce" is one way to...):

iridesce (be iridescent)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

opalescence (the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface)

opalescent (having a play of lustrous rainbow colors)