achromatic

[ ak-ruh-mat-ik, ey-kruh- ]
/ ˌæk rəˈmæt ɪk, ˌeɪ krə- /
SEE 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.

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Origin of achromatic

First recorded in 1760–70; a-6 + chromatic

OTHER WORDS FROM achromatic

ach·ro·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby achromatic

achroite, achromacyte, achromasia, achromat, achromate, achromatic, achromatic colour, achromaticity, achromatic lens, achromatic objective, achromatic prism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to achromatic

neutral, colorless, achromous, diatonic

Example sentences 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 forms of achromatic

achromatically, 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

Medical 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.

Scientific 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.