iridescence

[ ir-i-des-uh ns ]

/ ˌɪr ɪˈdɛs əns /

iridescent quality; a play of lustrous, changing colors.

Origin of iridescence

First recorded in 1795–1805; irid- + -escence

non·ir·i·des·cence, noun

The clothes were dominated by gray, murky green, midnight blue, all with hints of iridescence.

Paris Fall Fashion Week 2012: A Finale at Yves Saint Laurent |Robin Givhan |March 7, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
The iridescence of certain Alpine clouds is also an effect of diffraction which may be imitated by the spores of Lycopodium.

Six Lectures on Light |John Tyndall
What has happened is as clear as the iridescence of a dragon's eye.

Kai Lung's Golden Hours |Ernest Bramah
The iridescence of the rippling water over the rainbow-coloured pebbles is very lovely.

The Roof of France |Matilda Betham-Edwards

It was funny stuff, with an iridescence on it as if she had been rubbing it with furniture polish.

The Judge |Rebecca West
But the fine gradations, the iridescence of feeling, mocks at verbal definition.

Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician |Frederick Niecks