definitions
  • synonyms

achromatic

[ ak-ruh-mat-ik, ey-kruh- ]
/ ˌæk rəˈmæt ɪk, ˌeɪ krə- /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR achromatic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

Optics.
  1. free from color.
  2. able to emit, transmit, or receive light without separating it into colors.
Biology. (of a cell structure) difficult to stain.
Music. without accidentals or changes in key.

RELATED WORDS

neutral, colorless, diatonic

Nearby words

achroite, achromacyte, achromasia, achromat, achromate, achromatic, achromatic colour, achromatic lens, achromatic objective, achromatic prism, achromatic vision

Origin of achromatic

First recorded in 1760–70; a-6 + chromatic
Related formsach·ro·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for achromatic

British Dictionary definitions for achromatic

achromatic

/ (ˌækrəˈmætɪk) /

adjective

without colour
capable of reflecting or refracting light without chromatic aberration
cytology
  1. not staining with standard dyes
  2. of or relating to achromatin
music
  1. involving no sharps or flats
  2. another word for diatonic
denoting a person who is an achromat
Derived Formsachromatically, adverbachromatism (əˈkrəʊməˌtɪzəm) or achromaticity (əˌkrəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ), noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for achromatic

achromatic

adj.

1766, from Greek akhromatos "colorless," from a-, privative prefix (see a- (3)), + khromat-, comb. form of khroma "color" (see chroma) + -ic.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for achromatic

achromatic

[ ăk′rə-măt′ĭk ]

adj.

Of or relating to color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays, white, or black.
Refracting light without spectral color separation.
Of or relating to cells or tissues difficult to stain with standard dyes.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for achromatic

achromatic

[ ăk′rə-măt′ĭk ]

Designating color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays, white, or black.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.