opake

Opake is an archaic or variant spelling of the English adjective opaque. In modern usage, the standard form is opaque, and opake is rarely seen except in historical texts or when quoting older sources.

As an adjective, opake describes substances that do not permit light to pass through, either because they absorb or reflect most of the light. In optical terms, an opaque material has little or no transmission, resulting in a lack of transparency.

Etymology and historical usage: opake derives from the same Latin root opacus, meaning shaded or dark, and entered English through early spelling variants that later shifted toward the modern opaque. In historical writings, opake appears in phrases such as opake glass or opake pigment to indicate non-transparency. The form reflects older conventions in spelling before standardization.

Modern usage: today, opake is primarily of interest to scholars studying the history of English spelling or archival materials. For everyday writing and contemporary science or art contexts, opaque is the accepted term. When encountered, opake typically conveys a sense of antiquarian language or quotation rather than current usage.

See also: opaque, opacity, translucence, transparency.