achromatic

adjective

ach·​ro·​mat·​ic ˌa-krə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce achromatic (audio)
(ˌ)ā-
1
: refracting light without dispersing it into its constituent colors : giving images practically free from extraneous colors
an achromatic telescope
2
: not readily colored by the usual staining agents
3
: possessing no hue : being or involving black, gray, or white : neutral
achromatic visual sensations
4
: being without accidentals or modulation : diatonic
achromatically adverb
achromatism noun
achromatize transitive verb

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + Greek chrōmat-, chrôma "color" + -ic entry 1 (or borrowed directly from Greek chrōmatikós chromatic entry 1, formed with the same elements)

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of achromatic was in 1754

Dictionary Entries Near achromatic

Cite this Entry

“Achromatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achromatic. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

achromatic

adjective
ach·​ro·​mat·​ic ˌak-rə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce achromatic (audio)
1
: giving an image practically free from colors not in the object
an achromatic lens
2
: being black, gray, or white

Medical Definition

achromatic

adjective
ach·​ro·​mat·​ic ˌak-rə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce achromatic (audio)
1
: refracting light without dispersing it into its constituent colors : giving images practically free from extraneous colors
an achromatic telescope
2
: not readily colored by the usual staining agents
3
: possessing or involving no hue : being or involving only black, gray, or white
achromatic visual sensations
achromatic light stimuli
achromatically adverb

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