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opacity

lack of transparency / obscurity / cloudiness
Noun

This term describes a state of blockage, whether physical or intellectual. In a physical sense, it refers to the inability of light to pass through a material, creating a visual barrier. It is often used in technical contexts like optics or chemistry to describe the density of a substance. When applied to language or concepts, it describes a lack of clarity that makes a subject impenetrable to the mind. This usage carries a negative connotation of intentional or accidental obfuscation, where the meaning is hidden behind complex structures or jargon.

Meanings

Noun

The quality of lacking transparency or being unable to be seen through.

"The opacity of the frosted glass prevents people from seeing into the bathroom."

Noun

The quality of being difficult to understand or obscure in meaning.

"The opacity of the legal jargon in the contract made it nearly impossible for the client to grasp the terms."

Noun

The measure of the degree to which a medium blocks the passage of light.

"The scientist measured the opacity of the liquid to determine the concentration of particles."

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Last Updated: June 13, 2026Report an Error