Translucent, a.
Etymology: [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. 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for translucent; he lists it under clear.
Where he writes about it:
A transparent body allows the forms and colors of objects beyond to be seen through it; a translucent body allows light to pass through, but may not permit forms and colors to be distinguished; plate glass is transparent, ground glass is translucent. — from clear