as in opalescent
having a rainbowlike play of colors
the nacreous lining of the shell of a mollusk
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Recent Examples of nacreous
Tiffany has a long-standing history with pearls, both nacreous—from oysters and mollusks—and non-nacreous, like Melo Melo pearls.
—
Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 20 Feb. 2021
Unfortunately, nacreous clouds also support chemical reactions that convert benign chlorine-containing molecules into a form that destroys Earth’s ozone layer.
—Rebecca Coffey, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2012
Quahogs produce non-nacreous, porcelainlike pearls, according to the Gemological Institute of America.
—Shannon Marvel McNaught, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2022
Markov processes include an element of randomness—in this case, the thickness of the outermost nacreous layer—but one that can be influenced by the system’s history.
—Leila Sloman, Popular Mechanics, 28 Feb. 2022
An alternative explanation is that the red skies were the result of nacreous clouds common to that particular latitude.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 May 2020
Also called polar stratospheric clouds (or less precisely, rainbow clouds), nacreous clouds normally only form in high latitudes and at extremely cold temperatures.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
The cold air the storm blew in also led to the formation of beautiful nacreous clouds.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 20 Feb. 2021
Unfortunately, nacreous clouds also support chemical reactions that convert benign chlorine-containing molecules into a form that destroys Earth’s ozone layer.
—Rebecca Coffey, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2012
Quahogs produce non-nacreous, porcelainlike pearls, according to the Gemological Institute of America.
—Shannon Marvel McNaught, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2022
Markov processes include an element of randomness—in this case, the thickness of the outermost nacreous layer—but one that can be influenced by the system’s history.
—Leila Sloman, Popular Mechanics, 28 Feb. 2022
An alternative explanation is that the red skies were the result of nacreous clouds common to that particular latitude.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 May 2020
Also called polar stratospheric clouds (or less precisely, rainbow clouds), nacreous clouds normally only form in high latitudes and at extremely cold temperatures.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
The cold air the storm blew in also led to the formation of beautiful nacreous clouds.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nacreous
Adjective
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Pair the mystical hue with opalescent textures, like an inlaid mother-of-pearl side table.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2025
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In addition, a limited-edition Dior Grand Soir Automate watch features a mother-of-pearl dial and an opalescent snake with gold details.—
Tianwei Zhang,
WWD,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the slightly iridescent animal turned out to be a new species.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2025
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The water is emerald and aquamarine in color, sometimes naturally iridescent with rainbow shimmers.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Her program prioritizes outside time and operates out of several yurt-style classrooms brimming with natural light and colorful Montessori materials.—
Kerry McDonald,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Both are deciduous shrubs that produce colorful clusters of flowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators but chaste tree and butterfly bush are not closely related.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The straps—matching in either blue or pink—are also given an elevated, somewhat dressy finish that creates a pearlescent effect.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2025
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Pro Volume contains pearlescent shimmer whereas SuperShines’ 11 shades are sheer and shimmer-free.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
26 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near nacreous
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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