Translucent \Trans*lu"cent\, a. [L. translucens, -entis, p. pr. of translucere to shine through; trans across, through = lucere to shine. See Lucid.]

1. Transmitting rays of light without permitting objects to be distinctly seen; partially transparent.

2. Transparent; clear. [Poetic] ``Fountain or fresh current . . . translucent, pure.'' --Milton.

Replenished from the cool, translucent springs. --Pope.

Syn: Translucent, Transparent.

Usage: A thing is translucent when it merely admits the passage of light, without enabling us to distinguish the color and outline of objects through it; it is transparent when we can clearly discern objects placed on the other side of it. Glass, water, etc., are transparent; ground glass is translucent; a translucent style.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)