chromat-

American  

1. variant of chromato- before a vowel.

   chromatid.

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Usage

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.