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Translucent vs Shade - What's the difference?

translucent | shade |

As an adjective translucent

is allowing light to pass through, but diffusing it.

As a noun shade is

(label) darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.

As a verb shade is

to shield from light.

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

    shade

    English

    (wikipedia shade)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) sceadu.

    Noun

  • (label) Darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=8 , passage=Now we plunged into a deep shade with the boughs lacing each other overhead, and crossed dainty, rustic bridges over the cold trout-streams, the boards giving back the clatter of our horses' feet:
  • (label) Something that blocks light, particularly in a window.
  • (label) A variety of a colour/color, in particular one obtained by adding black (compare tint).
  • * (John Locke) (1632-1705)
  • Thus light and colours, as white, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees or shades , and mixtures, as green, scarlet, purple, sea-green, and the rest, come in only by the eyes
  • (label) A subtle variation in a concept.
  • * (Thomas De Quincey) (1785-1859)
  • new shades and combinations of thought
  • * (1800-1859)
  • Every shade of religious and political opinion has its own headquarters.
  • (label) An aspect that is reminiscent of something.
  • * Agatha Christie, Miss Marple Tells a Story
  • Mrs. Rhodes who (so I gathered from Mr. Petherick's careful language) was perhaps just a shade of a hypochondriac, had retired to bed immediately after dinner.
  • A ghost.
  • * (John Dryden) (1631-1700)
  • Swift as thought the flitting shade / Thro' air his momentary journey made.
  • (label) A creature that is partially human and partially angel.
  • (label) A postage stamp showing an obvious difference in colour/color to the original printing and needing a separate catalogue/catalog entry.
  • Subtle insults.
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) sceadwian.

    Verb

    (shad)
  • To shield from light.
  • The old oak tree shaded the lawn in the heat of the day.
  • To alter slightly.
  • You'll need to shade your shot slightly to the left.
    Most politicians will shade the truth if it helps them.
  • To vary slightly, particularly in color.
  • The hillside was bright green, shading towards gold in the drier areas.
  • (intransitive, baseball, of a defensive player) To move slightly from one's normal fielding position.
  • Jones will shade a little to the right on this pitch count.
  • To darken, particularly in drawing.
  • I draw contours first, gradually shading in midtones and shadows.
  • (obsolete) To shelter; to cover from injury; to protect; to screen.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Ere in our own house I do shade my head.
  • (obsolete) To present a shadow or image of; to shadow forth; to represent.
  • * Spenser
  • [The goddess] in her person cunningly did shade / That part of Justice which is Equity.
    Derived terms
    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * lampshade * made in the shade * nightshade * shader * shading * shady