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chromatic

[kroh-mat-ik, kruh-]
adjective
  1. pertaining to color or colors.
  2. Music.
    1. involving a modification of the normal scale by the use of accidentals.
    2. progressing by semitones, especially to a tone having the same letter name, as in C to C sharp.
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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. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for non-chromatic

chromatic

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or characterized by a colour or colours
  2. music
    1. involving the sharpening or flattening of notes or the use of such notes in chords and harmonic progressions
    2. of or relating to the chromatic scale or an instrument capable of producing ita chromatic harmonica
    3. of or relating to chromaticismCompare diatonic
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Derived Formschromatically, adverbchromaticism, noun

Word Origin

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).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
non-chromatic in Medicine

chromatic

(krō-măt′ĭk)
adj.
  1. Relating to color or colors.
  2. Produced by or made in a color or colors.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
non-chromatic in Science

chromatic

[krō-măt′ĭk]
  1. Relating to color or colors.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.