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achromatic

[ak-ruh-mat-ik, ey-kruh-]
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adjective
  1. Optics.
    1. free from color.
    2. able to emit, transmit, or receive light without separating it into colors.
  2. Biology. (of a cell structure) difficult to stain.
  3. Music. without accidentals or changes in key.
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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. 2018

Related Words

neutralcolorlessdiatonic

Examples from the Web for achromatic

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for achromatic

achromatic

adjective
  1. without colour
  2. capable of reflecting or refracting light without chromatic aberration
  3. cytology
    1. not staining with standard dyes
    2. of or relating to achromatin
  4. music
    1. involving no sharps or flats
    2. another word for diatonic
  5. denoting a person who is an achromat
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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

adj.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
achromatic in Medicine

achromatic

(ăk′rə-măt′ĭk)
adj.
  1. Of or relating to color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays, white, or black.
  2. Refracting light without spectral color separation.
  3. Of or relating to cells or tissues difficult to stain with standard dyes.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
achromatic in Science

achromatic

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