opal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a translucent form of hydrated silica, often used as a gemstone and prized for flashes of changing color

   A pale opal gleamed at the center of the tiara.

2. 2
   noun

   an iridescent pale color resembling the play of color in the gemstone

   The dawn turned the river from gray to gold and opal.

Through French opale and Latin opalus from Greek opallios, probably ultimately related to Sanskrit upala, 'stone or precious stone.' The color sense developed from the gem's characteristic shifting, iridescent play of light.

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