chromogen

[ kroh-muh-juh n, -jen ]

/ ˈkroʊ mə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

noun

Chemistry.

any substance found in organic fluids that forms colored compounds when oxidized.
a colored compound that, though not a dye itself, can be converted into a dye.

a chromogenic bacterium.

Nearby words

chromoblastomycosis, chromocenter, chromocystoscopy, chromocyte, chromodynamics, chromogen, chromogenesis, chromogenic, chromolithograph, chromolithography, chromolysis

Origin of chromogen

First recorded in 1855–60; chromo- + -gen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chromogen

The chromogen or pigmentary bacteria have occasionally been the means of working miracles.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for chromogen

chromogen

/ (ˈkrəʊmədʒən) /

noun

a compound that forms coloured compounds on oxidation

a substance that can be converted to a dye

a bacterium that produces a pigment

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

Medicine definitions for chromogen

chromogen

[ krō′mə-jən ]

n.

A substance that lacks definite color but may be transformed into a pigment.

A strongly pigment-generating or pigmented organelle, organ, or microorganism.