trans⋅par⋅ent
[trans-pair-uh
nt, -par-]
| 1. | having the property of transmitting rays of light through its substance so that bodies situated beyond or behind can be distinctly seen. |
| 2. | admitting the passage of light through interstices. |
| 3. | so sheer as to permit light to pass through; diaphanous. |
| 4. | easily seen through, recognized, or detected: transparent excuses. |
| 5. | manifest; obvious: a story with a transparent plot. |
| 6. | open; frank; candid: the man's transparent earnestness. |
| 7. | Computers. (of a process or software) operating in such a way as to not be perceived by users. |
| 8. | Obsolete. shining through, as light. |
1375–1425; late ME < ML trānspārent- (s. of trānspārēns) showing through (prp. of trānspārēre), equiv. to L trāns- trans- + pārent- (s. of pārēns), prp. of pārēre to appear; see apparent

Related forms:
1. clear, pellucid, limpid, crystalline. Transparent, translucent agree in describing material that light rays can pass through. That which is transparent allows objects to be seen clearly through it: Clear water is transparent. That which is translucent allows light to pass through, diffusing it, however, so that objects beyond are not distinctly seen: Ground glass is translucent.
1. opaque. 6. secretive.
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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trans·par·ent (trāns-pâr'ənt, -pār'-) adj.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin trānspārēns, trānspārent-, present participle of trānspārēre, to show through : Latin trāns-, trans- + Latin pārēre, to show.] trans·par'ent·ly adv. |
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Transparent
Trans*par"ent\, a. [F., from LL. transparens, -entis, p. pr. of transparere to be transparent; L. trans across, through + parere to appear. See Appear.]1. Having the property of transmitting rays of light, so that bodies can be distinctly seen through; pervious to light; diaphanous; pellucid; as, transparent glass; a transparent diamond; -- opposed to opaque. "Transparent elemental air." --Milton. 2. Admitting the passage of light; open; porous; as, a transparent veil. --Dryden. Syn: Translucent; pellucid; clear; bright; limpid; lucid; diaphanous. See Translucent. -- Trans*par"ent*ly, adv. -- Trans*par"ent*ness, n.Cite This Source
transparent
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Main Entry: trans·par·ent
Pronunciation: -&nt
Function: adjective
1 : having the property of transmitting light without appreciablescattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly
2 : allowing the passage of a specified form of radiation (as X rays or ultraviolet light)
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| transparent (trāns-pâr'ənt) Pronunciation Key
Allowing radiation or matter to pass through with little or no resistance or diffusion. Compare opaque, translucent. See Note at glass. |
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transparent
1.
Compare this to what Donald Norman calls "invisibility", which he illustrates from the user's point of view:
"You use computers when you use many modern automobiles, microwave ovens, games, CD players and calculators. You don't notice the computer because you think of yourself as doing the task, not as using the computer." ["The Design of Everyday Things", New York, Doubleday, 1989, p. 185].
2.
(1996-06-04)
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