Nebulosity Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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nebulosity

[ˌnɛbjʊˈlɒsɪti ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

weather

The state or quality of being nebulous or cloudy.

Synonyms

cloudiness, haziness, opacity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'nebulosity'

Main points about word origin

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.

The word 'nebulosity' originated from the Latin word 'nebulosus', meaning cloudy or misty. It entered the English language in the late 18th century and has been used primarily in meteorology to describe the cloudiness or haziness of the atmosphere. The term has since expanded to be used metaphorically to describe anything unclear or vague.