achromic

American  

[ey-kroh-mik] / eɪˈkroʊ mɪk /

Or achromous

adjective

1. colorless; without coloring matter.

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achromic British  

/ əˈkrəʊmɪk /

adjective

1. colourless

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Etymology

Origin of achromic

First recorded in 1755–65; a- ⁶ + chromic

Explanation

When something is completely lacking in color, like a black-and-white photograph or a ghostly, colorless flower, it’s described as achromic. Achromic objects stand out with their complete lack of color, like the bleached bones of an ancient skeleton or the cold, white light of a winter day. In science, this term is often used to describe tissues or cells that are completely colorless. The word achromic comes from the Greek roots a-, meaning "without," and chroma, meaning "color."

Related Words

• drab
• dull