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correct spelling of "impenatrable" --> "impenetrable"
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Like others I have heard the word used variously and sometimes with apparent contradiction. So I am quoting below the range of meanings given by the OED. Multifarious references are given against each, which I have not repeated. There are also a host of 'special references' which I have not included. This may not answer your question by providing you with an alternative word. But it will perhaps confirm that none of the meanings imply complete impenatrabilityimpenetrability to light. To achieve that I would suggest you use that term impenatrableimpenetrable to light.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous.
  1. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  1. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  2. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

Like others I have heard the word used variously and sometimes with apparent contradiction. So I am quoting below the range of meanings given by the OED. Multifarious references are given against each, which I have not repeated. There are also a host of 'special references' which I have not included. This may not answer your question by providing you with an alternative word. But it will perhaps confirm that none of the meanings imply complete impenatrability to light. To achieve that I would suggest you use that term impenatrable to light.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous.
  1. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  1. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  2. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

Like others I have heard the word used variously and sometimes with apparent contradiction. So I am quoting below the range of meanings given by the OED. Multifarious references are given against each, which I have not repeated. There are also a host of 'special references' which I have not included. This may not answer your question by providing you with an alternative word. But it will perhaps confirm that none of the meanings imply complete impenetrability to light. To achieve that I would suggest you use that term impenetrable to light.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous.
  1. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  1. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  2. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

edited body
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A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous. 2.
  2. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  3. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  4. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.
  1. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  1. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  2. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous. 2.
  2. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  3. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  4. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous.
  1. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  1. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  2. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

added 252 characters in body
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WS2
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Like others I have heard the word used variously and sometimes with apparent contradiction. So I am quoting below the range of meanings given by the OED. Multifarious references are given against each, which I have not repeated. There are also a host of 'special references' which I have not included. This may not answer your question by providing you with an alternative word. But it will perhaps confirm that none of the meanings imply complete impenatrability to light. To achieve that I would suggest you use that term impenatrable to light.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous. 2.
  2. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  3. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  4. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

Like others I have heard the word used variously and sometimes with apparent contradiction. So I am quoting below the range of meanings given by the OED. Multifarious references are given against each, which I have not repeated. There are also a host of 'special references' which I have not included.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous. 2.
  2. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  3. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  4. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

Like others I have heard the word used variously and sometimes with apparent contradiction. So I am quoting below the range of meanings given by the OED. Multifarious references are given against each, which I have not repeated. There are also a host of 'special references' which I have not included. This may not answer your question by providing you with an alternative word. But it will perhaps confirm that none of the meanings imply complete impenatrability to light. To achieve that I would suggest you use that term impenatrable to light.

A. adj.

  1. a. Lying in shadow; dark, dim, not illuminated. Also fig. Now rare. b. Of an object or surface: not reflecting or emitting light; not shining or lustrous. 2.
  2. a. Not transmitting light, not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to sight. Also fig. b. Not transmitting a form of radiation other than light, as sound, heat, or X-rays. Freq. with to.
  3. a. Hard to understand; obscure in meaning; not clear or lucid. †b. Impervious to reason; stupid, obtuse. Obs.
  4. Linguistics. Categories » a. Not obvious in meaning; esp. (of a word) that was originally a compound or derivative but is now a simplex, and so has a meaning that cannot be deduced from its form or sound. b. Of a rule in phonology: that cannot be extrapolated from every occurrence; subject to exceptions, esp. as a result of language change. C–D. 1974 S. R. Anderson Organization of Phonol. xii. 209
    Historical change can be seen to operate on nontransparent (or opaque) rules so as to make them more transparent or to eliminate them from the grammar. 1997 W. J. Idsardi in I. Roca Derivations & Constraints in Phonol. 373 Hebrew spirantization is a typical example of an opaque rule, because later rules, such as vowel deletion, obscure the application environment in the surface form.

†a. Chiefly poet. A region of complete darkness; a place where light cannot penetrate. Also fig. Obs. b. A shade for the eyes. rare. c. A garment or material that is opaque rather than translucent. d. A colour or finish that completely hides the previous finish. Also: one that is matt, not shiny or lustrous. e. Min. A mineral that appears black in thin section when viewed in polarized light. 2. Photogr. a. A substance used for producing an opaque area on a negative, as in retouching. Now hist. b. A photographic print made on opaque paper, as opposed to a transparency. Now hist. 1959
Recomm. for Density & Contrast Range of Monochrome Films (B.S.I.) 5
Prints of black-and-white photographic opaques should be made in such a way that a middle tone..will have a reflection density within the range 0·5 to 0·7.

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