Definition of opaque

competent Definition: (adjective) having the skill and knowledge needed for a particular task; capable Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< opalescent

opaque projector >

o·paque    (-pk) KEY  

ADJECTIVE:

1. 1. Impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent.
   2. Not reflecting light; having no luster: an opaque finish.
2. Impenetrable by a form of radiant energy other than visible light: a chemical solution opaque to x-rays.
3. 1. So obscure as to be unintelligible: "opaque, elusive, minimal meanings" (John Simon).
   2. Obtuse of mind; dense. See Synonyms at dark.

NOUN:

Something that is opaque, especially an opaque pigment used to darken parts of a photographic print or negative.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English opake, shady, and French opaque, opaque (from Old French, shady), both from Latin opcus

OTHER FORMS:
o·paquely (Adverb), o·paqueness (Noun)

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search