Resembling an opal in the display of various colors; denoting certain bacterial cultures. [Fr. fr. L. opalus, opal]
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opal·es·cent .ō-pə-'les-ənt adj reflecting an iridescent light <saliva is a viscous \opalescent fluid>
opal·es·cent·ly -ənt-lē adv
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opal·es·cent (o″pəl-esґənt) showing a milky iridescence, like an opal.Medical dictionary. 2011.