Iridescence: meaning, definitions and examples
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iridescence
[ ˌɪrɪˈdɛsəns ]
optical phenomenon
Iridescence refers to the phenomenon in which a surface appears to change color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes. This effect is commonly seen in objects like soap bubbles, butterfly wings, and certain minerals. The colors produced by iridescence are often vivid and can create a striking visual appearance. The underlying cause of iridescence is the interference of light waves reflecting off multiple layers of a surface.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The soap bubble displayed beautiful iridescence in the sunlight.
- The butterfly’s wings exhibit iridescence, shifting colors as it flutters.
- The surface of the pearl shows a delicate iridescence under bright light.
Translations
Translations of the word "iridescence" in other languages:
🇵🇹 iridescência
🇮🇳 इरीडेसेंस
🇩🇪 Irideszenz
🇮🇩 iridesensi
🇺🇦 іридесценція
🇵🇱 irydescencja
🇯🇵 虹彩
🇫🇷 iridescence
🇪🇸 iridiscencia
🇹🇷 iridesans
🇰🇷 무지개빛
🇸🇦 تألق الألوان
🇨🇿 iridescence
🇸🇰 iridiscencia
🇨🇳 彩虹色
🇸🇮 iridescenca
🇮🇸 regnbogaskín
🇰🇿 иридесценция
🇬🇪 ირსიდესცენცია
🇦🇿 iri̇desensiya
🇲🇽 iridiscencia
Etymology
The word 'iridescence' originates from the Latin term 'iris', meaning 'rainbow', which itself is derived from the Greek 'iris' (ἶρις), signifying both a rainbow and the goddess of the rainbow in Greek mythology. The term first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century. The connection to the rainbow is significant, as iridescence creates a spectrum of colors similar to those seen in a rainbow. Over time, 'iridescence' has been used in various scientific fields, particularly in optics and biology, to describe this captivating optical effect found in nature. The study of iridescence has also led to advancements in materials science, where it aids in the development of coatings and finishes that mimic this phenomenon.