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opaque

 - 6 dictionary results

o⋅paque

[oh-peyk] adjective, noun, verb, o⋅paqued, o⋅paqu⋅ing.
–adjective
1. not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; not allowing light to pass through.
2. not transmitting radiation, sound, heat, etc.
3. not shining or bright; dark; dull.
4. hard to understand; not clear or lucid; obscure: The problem remains opaque despite explanations.
5. dull, stupid, or unintelligent.
–noun
6. something that is opaque.
7. Photography. a coloring matter, usually black or red, used to render part of a negative opaque.
–verb (used with object)
8. Photography. to cover up blemishes on (a negative), esp. for making a printing plate.
9. to cause to become opaque.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME opake < L opācus shaded


o⋅paque⋅ly, adverb
o⋅paque⋅ness, noun


1. murky, cloudy, muddy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To opaque
o·paque   (ō-pāk')   
adj.  
    1. Impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent.

    2. Not reflecting light; having no luster: an opaque finish.

    3. So obscure as to be unintelligible: "opaque, elusive, minimal meanings" (John Simon).

    4. Obtuse of mind; dense. See Synonyms at dark.

  1. Impenetrable by a form of radiant energy other than visible light: a chemical solution opaque to x-rays.

    1. So obscure as to be unintelligible: "opaque, elusive, minimal meanings" (John Simon).

    2. Obtuse of mind; dense. See Synonyms at dark.

n.  Something that is opaque, especially an opaque pigment used to darken parts of a photographic print or negative.

[Middle English opake, shady, and French opaque, opaque (from Old French, shady), both from Latin opācus.]
o·paque'ly adv., o·paque'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

opaque 
c.1420, opake, from L. opacus "shaded, shady, dark," of unknown origin. Spelling infl. after c.1650 by Fr. opaque (c.1500), from the L.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: opaque
Pronunciation: O-'pAk
Function: adjective
: exhibiting opacity : not pervious to radiant energy —opaque·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

opaque o·paque (ō-pāk')
adj.
Impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
opaque   (ō-pāk')  Pronunciation Key 
Resistant to the transmission of certain kinds of radiation, usually light. Metals and many minerals are opaque to light, while being transparent to radio waves and neutrinos. Compare translucent, transparent.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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