opacity

[ oh-pas-i-tee ]

noun

, plural o·pac·i·ties.

1. the state or quality of being opaque.
2. something opaque.
3. the degree to which a substance is opaque; capacity for being opaque.
4. Photography. the proportion of the light that is absorbed by the emulsion on any given area of a film or plate.
5. obscurity of meaning.
6. mental dullness.
7. Medicine/Medical. an opaque spot or area in normally clear or transparent tissue, as a cataract of the eye.

opacity

/ əʊˈpæsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being opaque
2. the degree to which something is opaque
3. an opaque object or substance
4. obscurity of meaning; unintelligibility
5. physics photog the ratio of the intensity of light incident on a medium, such as a photographic film, to that transmitted through the medium
6. logic philosophy the property of being an opaque context

Other Words From

• nono·paci·ty noun plural nonopacities

Word History and Origins

Origin of opacity¹

First recorded in 1550–60, opacity is from the Latin word opācitās shade. See opaque, -ity

Example Sentences

The sombre vision of nature's secret laws is interdicted to man by the fatal opacity of surrounding things.

From Project Gutenberg

The first possesses the greatest opacity, while the second and third are most durable.

From Project Gutenberg

Anatomical changes took place in the cornea, as evidenced by a white opacity.

From Project Gutenberg

The blue sky is more beautiful because we know it is not painted opacity, but transparent.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be she was not very visible; the double glasses of an open sash-window are almost equal to opacity.

From Project Gutenberg