Crossword Genius

Shimmer evenly touches embedded stakes (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opalesce

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shimmer' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'evenly touches embedded stakes' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'stakes' could be 'pales' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'pales' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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