Opaque

Opaque

Adjective / Noun · /əʊˈpeɪk/

Definition

(Adjective) not able to be seen through; not transparent; not transmitting light; difficult or impossible to understand; not clear or lucid; deliberately obscure; (Noun, photography) a substance used to block light on parts of a negative or print.

Origin

From Latin opacus (shady, dark, opaque — providing shade, not transparent), of uncertain further etymology. The Latin word entering French as opaque and English in the fifteenth century in both the literal sense (not transmitting light) and the figurative sense (not clear to the understanding, obscure). The figurative sense being present from early English use: an opaque argument, an opaque style. The word being used in optics, photography, linguistics, and general discourse.