chromatic

[kroh-mat-ik, kruh-]

adjective

pertaining to color or colors.

Music.

involving a modification of the normal scale by the use of accidentals.
progressing by semitones, especially to a tone having the same letter name, as in C to C sharp.

Origin of chromatic

1590–1600; < Greek chrōmatikós, equivalent to chrōmat- (see chromato-) + -ikos -ic

Related formschro·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·chro·mat·ic, adjectivenon·chro·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbun·chro·mat·ic, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for non-chromatic

chromatic

adjective

of, relating to, or characterized by a colour or colours

music

involving the sharpening or flattening of notes or the use of such notes in chords and harmonic progressions
of or relating to the chromatic scale or an instrument capable of producing ita chromatic harmonica
of or relating to chromaticismCompare diatonic

Derived Formschromatically, adverbchromaticism, noun

Word Origin for chromatic

C17: from Greek khrōmatikos, from khrōma colour

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 non-chromatic

chromatic

adj.

1590s (of music), "progressing by half-tones;" 1831 as "pertaining to color," from Latin chromaticus, from Greek khromatikos "relating to color, suited for color," from khroma (genitive khromatos) "color, complexion, character," but chiefly used metaphorically of embellishments in music, originally "skin, surface" (see chroma).

non-chromatic in Medicine