transparent

[ trans-pair-uhnt, -par- ]
/ trænsˈpɛər ənt, -ˈpær- /

adjective

Origin of transparent

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin trānspārent- (stem of trānspārēns) showing through (present participle of trānspārēre), equivalent to Latin trāns- trans- + pārent- (stem of pārēns), present participle of pārēre to appear; see apparent

SYNONYMS FOR transparent

1 clear, pellucid, limpid, crystalline. T ransparent , 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM transparent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH transparent

translucent transparent (see synonym study at the current entry)

British Dictionary definitions for nontransparent

transparent
/ (trænsˈpærənt, -ˈpɛər-) /

adjective

permitting the uninterrupted passage of light; clear a window is transparent
easy to see through, understand, or recognize; obvious
(of a substance or object) permitting the free passage of electromagnetic radiation a substance that is transparent to X-rays
candid, open, or frank

Derived forms of transparent

transparently, adverb transparentness, noun

Word Origin for transparent

C15: from Medieval Latin transpārēre to show through, from Latin trans- + pārēre to appear

Scientific definitions for nontransparent

transparent
[ trăns-pârənt ]

Allowing radiation or matter to pass through with little or no resistance or diffusion. Compare opaque translucent. See Note at glass.