Word of the Day - 06/29/26
iridescent
/,ɪrɪ'dɛsənt/(adj.): varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles
The oil spill created an iridescent sheen on the water, varying in color when seen from different angles.
(adj.): having a play of lustrous rainbow colors
The hummingbird's iridescent feathers shimmered in the sunlight, displaying a play of lustrous rainbow colors.
Word Origin
The word 'iridescent' originates from the French word 'iridescent', which itself comes from the Latin 'iris' meaning 'rainbow' or 'goddess of the rainbow' (from Greek 'iris' meaning 'rainbow') combined with the suffix '-escent'. The suffix '-escent' is derived from the Latin present participle suffix '-escentem', which indicates a process of becoming or having the quality of. Thus, 'iridescent' means 'having the quality of a rainbow' or 'becoming like a rainbow'.
Words with similar origins include those ending in the '-escent' suffix, indicating a state of becoming or beginning to be, such as 'fluorescent' (emitting light), 'phosphorescent' (shining with light), 'effervescent' (bubbling), 'adolescent' (growing to maturity), and 'convalescent' (recovering health). The root 'iris' also appears in the word 'iris' itself, referring to the colorful part of the eye or the flower.