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hydrophane

[ hahy-druh-feyn ]

noun

  1. a partly translucent variety of opal, which becomes more translucent or transparent when immersed in water.


hydrophane

/ ˈhaɪdrəʊˌfeɪn; haɪˈdrɒfənəs /

noun

  1. a white partially opaque variety of opal that becomes translucent in water
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • hydrophanous, adjective
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Other Words From

  • hy·droph·a·nous [hahy-, drof, -, uh, -n, uh, s], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrophane1

First recorded in 1775–85; hydro- 1 + -phane ( def )
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Example Sentences

It was milk-white, and became translucent in water, like that beautiful variety of opal, the hydrophane.

There is a variety of opal called Hydrophane, which is white and opaque till immersed in water; it then resembles the former.

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hydroperoxidehydrophilic