Nebulosity: meaning, definitions and examples

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nebulosity

 

[ˌnɛbjʊˈlɒsɪti ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

weather

The state or quality of being nebulous or cloudy.

Synonyms

cloudiness, haziness, opacity.

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Word Description / Examples
nebulosity

Used in scientific or poetic contexts to describe a state of being nebulous or cloud-like. Commonly used in astronomy to discuss the appearance of celestial objects.

  • The astronomer observed the nebulosity surrounding the distant stars.
  • Poets often write about the nebulosity of dreams, adding a mystical quality to their verses.
cloudiness

Refers to the presence of clouds in the sky or the state of being unclear in a general sense. It is often used in weather forecasts or to describe unclear liquids or situations.

  • The weather forecast predicts cloudiness throughout the day.
  • The cloudiness of the water indicated it wasn't safe to drink.
haziness

Describes a state where vision is partially obscured or when thoughts are unclear. It often refers to atmospheric conditions or mental states.

  • The morning was filled with a haziness that made it hard to see the mountains.
  • After a sleepless night, haziness clouded his thoughts.
opacity

Describes the degree to which something is not transparent or clear. Often used in both physical and metaphorical contexts. Has a more technical tone, especially in scientific fields like physics and material science.

  • The opacity of the glass made it impossible to see through.
  • Her opacity in answering questions made people suspicious of her true intentions.

Examples of usage

  • The nebulosity in the sky made it difficult to see the stars.
  • Forecasters predicted a day of nebulosity with occasional showers.
  • The nebulosity of the atmosphere obscured the view of the mountains.
  • The nebulosity of the weather created a gloomy mood.
  • The artist captured the nebulosity of the clouds in her painting.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'nebulosus,' meaning 'full of mist or clouds,' showing its connection to foggy or cloudy appearances.
  • It was first recorded in the 19th century, capturing the interest of those studying space and astronomy.
  • In scientific literature, it often describes the texture of galaxies and star-forming regions.

Astronomy

  • Nebulae are vast clouds of dust and gas in space, and nebulosity describes how these clouds appear in images from telescopes.
  • Some nebulae are regions where new stars are born, showcasing how nebulosity can indicate the creation of celestial bodies.
  • The famous Orion Nebula is one of the brightest nebulae visible from Earth, highlighting its prominence in astronomical observations.

Art and Literature

  • In literature, nebulosity can describe unclear or vague ideas, enhancing the poetic imagery of confusion or mystery.
  • Artists sometimes use visual effects that mimic nebulosity to create dreamlike atmospheres in paintings, resembling the beauty of celestial bodies.
  • Symbolically, nebulosity can represent uncertainty in narratives, allowing authors to explore complex themes.

Science

  • In biology, the term can describe the hazy appearance of certain liquid cultures or tissues, indicating a lack of clarity.
  • Physics uses the concept of nebulosity to discuss scattering and diffusion of light in various mediums.
  • Environmental science might describe air pollution as a form of nebulosity, emphasizing the decreased visibility due to particulate matter.

Pop Culture

  • The term has appeared in various science fiction contexts, where it conveys awe and mystery surrounding space travel and exploration.
  • It often finds a place in ambient music genres, where artists seek to evoke feelings of vastness and wonder, paralleling cosmic nebulosity.
  • Movies and series that explore space tend to visually illustrate nebulosity in how they depict galaxies and starfields.

Translations

Translations of the word "nebulosity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nebulosidade

🇮🇳 धुंधलापन

🇩🇪 Nebulosität

🇮🇩 nebula

🇺🇦 небулярність

🇵🇱 mglistość

🇯🇵 曖昧さ (aimai-sa)

🇫🇷 nébulosité

🇪🇸 nebulosidad

🇹🇷 bulanıklık

🇰🇷 흐릿함 (heuritham)

🇸🇦 ضبابية (dababiya)

🇨🇿 mlhavost

🇸🇰 hmlistý

🇨🇳 朦胧 (ménglóng)

🇸🇮 meglenost

🇮🇸 þokumóða

🇰🇿 тұмандық

🇬🇪 ნისლოვანება (nislavaneeba)

🇦🇿 dumanlılıq

🇲🇽 nebulosidad