iridescence
UK: ˌɪrɪˈdesəns | US: ˌɪrɪˈdesəns
n. The phenomenon of exhibiting rainbow-like colors that change with the angle of view or illumination.
iridescence = irid<rainbow> + escence<noun suffix indicating state or quality>
- irid: From Greek iris (rainbow), referring to the multicolored arc in the sky.
- escence: A suffix derived from Latin -escentia, denoting a state or process (e.g., "luminescence").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to the Greek goddess Iris, who personified the rainbow and served as a messenger between gods and humans. The suffix -escence was later added in scientific Latin to describe the property of shifting colors, akin to a rainbow’s shimmer. The term evolved in the 19th century to describe optical phenomena in nature (e.g., soap bubbles, peacock feathers).
The soap bubble’s iridescence captivated the children.
Pearls exhibit a subtle iridescence under sunlight.
The butterfly’s wings shimmered with metallic iridescence.
Oil spills on water often create an eerie iridescence.
Scientists study iridescence in beetles for bio-inspired materials.