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chromatophore

[kruh-mat-uh-fawr, -fohr, kroh-muh-tuh‐]
noun
  1. Zoology. a cell containing pigment, especially one that through contraction and expansion produces a temporary color, as in cuttlefishes.
  2. Botany. one of the colored plastids in plant cells.

Origin of chromatophore

First recorded in 1860–65; chromato- + -phore
Related formschro·mat·o·phor·ic [kruh-mat-uh-fawr-ik, ‐for-ik, kroh-muh-tuh‐] /krəˌmæt əˈfɔr ɪk, ‐ˈfɒr ɪk, ˈkroʊ mə tə‐/, chro·ma·toph·or·ous [kroh-muh-tof-er-uh s] /ˌkroʊ məˈtɒf ər əs/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for chromatophore

Historical Examples of chromatophore

British Dictionary definitions for chromatophore

chromatophore

noun
  1. a cell in the skin of frogs, chameleons, etc, in which pigment is concentrated or dispersed, causing the animal to change colour
  2. another name for chromoplast
Derived Formschromatophoric or chromatophorous (ˌkrəʊməˈtɒfərəs), adjective
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 chromatophore
n.

"pigment cell," 1864, from chromato- + Greek -phoros "bearing, bearer," from pherein "to carry" (see infer).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
chromatophore in Medicine

chromatophore

[krō-măt′ə-fôr′]
n.
  1. A specialized pigment-bearing organelle in certain photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria.
  2. A pigment-bearing phagocyte found chiefly in the skin, mucous membrane, and choroid coat of the eye, as well as in melanomas.pigment cell
  3. Variant ofchromophore
Related formschro•mat′o•phor′ic (-fôr′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.