Iridescence

Iridescence
Iridescence Ir`i*des"cence, n. [See {Iridescent}.] Exhibition of colors like those of the rainbow, especially a surface reflection which changes color with the angle at which the object is viewed; the quality or state of being iridescent; a prismatic play of color; as, the iridescence of mother-of-pearl. It is due to interference of light waves reflected from the front and back surfaces of a thin layer transpatrent or semitransparent film. [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Synonyms:
(like those of the rainbow)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • iridescence — [iʀidesɑ̃s] n. f. ÉTYM. 1924, in D. D. L.; de iridescent. ❖ ♦ Littér. Caractère de ce qui est iridescent …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • iridescence — 1804, from IRRIDESCENT (Cf. irridescent) + ENCE (Cf. ence). Related: Irridescency (1799) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Iridescence — On parle de goniochromisme quand une surface paraît changer de couleur selon l angle sous lequel on la regarde ou selon l angle selon lequel elle est éclairée. Lorsque les couleurs sont celles de l iris, il s agit de l irisation. L iridescence… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Iridescence — Pearlescent redirects here. For the type of paint, see Pearlescent coatings. Iridescent redirects here. For the Linkin Park song, see Iridescent (song). Iridescence in soap bubbles …   Wikipedia

  • iridescence — /ir i des euhns/, n. iridescent quality; a play of lustrous, changing colors. [1795 1805; IRID + ESCENCE] * * *       interference of light either at the surface or in the interior of a material that produces a series of colours as the angle of… …   Universalium

  • iridescence — noun Date: 1804 1. a lustrous rainbowlike play of color caused by differential refraction of light waves (as from an oil slick, soap bubble, or fish scales) that tends to change as the angle of view changes 2. a lustrous or attractive quality or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • iridescence — iridescent ► ADJECTIVE ▪ showing luminous colours that seem to change when seen from different angles. DERIVATIVES iridescence noun iridescently adverb. ORIGIN from Latin iris rainbow …   English terms dictionary

  • iridescence — n. [L. iris, rainbow] A rainbow like display of interference colors that change with variations of the angle of view, due to diffraction of light reflected from ribbed or finely striated surfaces; iridescent adj …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • iridescence — noun a) The condition or state of being iridescent; exhibition of colors like those of the rainbow; a prismatic play of color. b) Any shimmer of glittering and changeable colors …   Wiktionary

  • iridescence — iri·des·cence (ir″ĭ desґəns) [L. iridescere to gleam like a rainbow] the condition of gleaming with bright and changing colors …   Medical dictionary

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