different between translucent vs vitreous

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 French vitreux, from Latin vitreus (“glassy, transparent”), from vitrum (“glass”).

The terms vitreous (positive) and resinous (negative) electricity were coined in 1733 by Charles François de Cisternay du Fay, who studied the different behaviour of glass and resin when rubbed with silk and fur, respectively.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?v?.t?i.?s/

Adjective

vitreous (comparative more vitreous, superlative most vitreous)

1. Of or resembling glass; glassy.
2. Of or relating to the vitreous humor of the eye.
3. (of ceramics) Having a shiny nonporous surface.
4. (chemistry) Of a semi-crystalline substance where the atoms exhibit short-range order, but without the long-range order of a crystal.
5. (physics, dated) Positive (of electric charge).

Antonyms

• (electric charge): resinous

Derived terms

• vitreous humour / vitreous humor

Related terms

• vitrify, vitrification, vitrifaction, vitrifacture

Translations

Noun

vitreous (usually uncountable, plural vitreouses)

1. (by elision) The vitreous humor.

Anagrams

• oversuit, virtuose, voitures