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Translucent vs Luminous - What's the difference?

translucent | luminous |

As adjectives the difference between translucent and luminous

is that translucent is allowing light to pass through, but diffusing it while luminous is emitting light; glowing brightly.

translucent

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Allowing light to pass through, but diffusing it.
  • * 1913 , , The Day of Days , ch. 1:
  • The window-panes, encrusted with perennial deposits of Atmosphere, were less transparent than translucent .
  • * 1921 , , Jill the Reckless , ch. 21:
  • On the windows of the nearer buildings the sun cast glittering beams, but further away a faint, translucent mist hid the city.
  • Clear, lucid, or transparent.
  • * 1884 , Henry J. Ramsdell, Life and Public Services of Hon. James G. Blaine , Hubbard, pp. 105-106:
  • Mr. Blaine's powers and disposition shone resplendent. . . . the gavel in his practised hand, chiming in with varied tones that aptly enforced his words, from the sharp rat-tat-tat that recalled the House to decorum, to the vigorous thunder that actually drowned unparliamentary speech; rulings, repartee, translucent explanation flashing from his lips as quick as lighting.
  • * 1904 , , The Club of Queer Trades , ch. 4:
  • "I was startled at your not seeing it from the beginning. The man is a translucent liar and knave."
  • * 1919 , , The Lords of the Wild , ch. 3:
  • [T]he sun was in its greatest splendor, and the air was absolutely translucent . The lake and the mountains sprang out, sharp and clear.

    Coordinate terms

    * opaque * transparent

    luminous

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • emitting light; glowing brightly
  • brightly illuminated
  • Synonyms

    * beamful

    Derived terms

    * luminous paint * luminosity