chromat-

1. variant of chromato- before a vowel:

   chromatid.

Words That Use Chromat-

What does chromat- mean?

Chromat- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “color.” It is used in many scientific and medical terms. In cell biology, chromat- specifically refers to chromatin, “the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus, consisting of DNA, RNA, and various proteins, that forms chromosomes during cell division.”

Chromat- comes from the Greek chrôma, meaning “color” and source of the words chroma and chrome, among many others. The chemical element chromium is so named for the colorful compounds the metal can form.

Chromat- is a variant of chromato-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use chromato- article.

Closely related to chromat- are the combining forms chromo-, chrom-, and -chrome.

Examples of chromat-

One medical term that features the combining form chromat- is chromatopsia, “a condition in which objects appear to be abnormally colored or tinged with color.”

The chromat- portion of the word means “color.” The second portion of the word, -opsia, denotes vision disorders. Chromatopsia has a literal sense of “seeing colors.”

What are some words that use the combining form chromat-?

• chromatic (using the equivalent form of chromat- in Greek)
• chromatics (using the equivalent form of chromat- in Greek)
• chromatid
• chromatin
• chromaturia

What are some other forms that chromat- may be commonly confused with?

• chiro-
• chondro-
• choreo-

Break it down!

The combining form -uria is used to name urinary conditions. With this in mind, what does the medical condition of chromaturia involve?