translucent

Where does the word "translucent" come from? It comes from Latin translucere, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Translucent’s story begins in Latin: translucere meant “to shine through.” To shine through, from trans- (through) and lucere (to shine). It reached English by 1500s as translucent. Settled as the English word for something allowing light to pass through partially. Today, translucent means allowing light to pass through partially, without being fully transparent.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient translucere "to shine through", to shine through, from trans- (through) and lucere (to shine).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s translucent "allowing light to pass through partially, but not transparent", settled as the English word for something allowing light to pass through partially.