different between translucent vs crystalline

English

Etymology

From Latin translucentem, accusative of translucens, present participle of translucere, from trans (“through”) and lucere (“to shine”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /t?ænz?lu?.s?nt/?
• (US) IPA^(key): /t?ænz?lu.s?nt/

Adjective

translucent (comparative more translucent, superlative most translucent)

1. Allowing light to pass through, but diffusing it.
   • 1913, Louis Joseph Vance, The Day of Days, ch. 1:

     The window-panes, encrusted with perennial deposits of Atmosphere, were less transparent than translucent.

   • 1921, P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless, ch. 21:

     On the windows of the nearer buildings the sun cast glittering beams, but further away a faint, translucent mist hid the city.

2. Clear, lucid, or transparent.
   • 1884, Henry J. Ramsdell, Life and Public Services of Hon. James G. Blaine, Hubbard, pp. 105-106:

     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.

   • 1919, Joseph A. Altsheler, The Lords of the Wild, ch. 3:

     [T]he sun was in its greatest splendor, and the air was absolutely translucent. The lake and the mountains sprang out, sharp and clear.

Coordinate terms

• opaque
• transparent

Related terms

• translucence
• translucency

Translations

Latin

Verb

tr?nsl?cent

1. third-person plural present active indicative of tr?nsl?ce?

English

Etymology

From Middle English cristallyn, cristallyne, from Old French cristallin, from Latin crystall?nus (“like crystal”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k??st.?l.a?n/

Adjective

crystalline (comparative more crystalline, superlative most crystalline)

1. Of, relating to, or composed of crystals.
2. (chemistry) Having a regular three-dimensional molecular structure.
3. Resembling crystal in being clear and transparent.
4. This term needs a definition. Please help out and add a definition, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

Antonyms

• amorphous

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

crystalline (plural crystallines)

1. (obsolete) Any crystalline substance.
2. (obsolete) aniline

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /krys?tal.li.ne/, [k??s??t?äl???n?]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /kris?tal.li.ne/, [k?is?t??l?in?]

Adjective

crystalline

1. vocative masculine singular of crystallinus