pleochroism

noun

ple·​och·​ro·​ism plē-ˈä-krə-ˌwi-zəm How to pronounce pleochroism (audio)
: the property of a crystal of showing different colors when viewed by light polarized in different directions
pleochroic adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Pleochroismus, from pleo- pleo- + -chroismus, in Dichroismus dichroism

Note: The term was apparently introduced by the German mineralogist Wilhelm Haidinger (1795-1871); see "Ueber den Pleochroismus der Krystalle," Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Band 65, no. 5 (1845), pp. 1-29.

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pleochroism was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near pleochroism

Cite this Entry

“Pleochroism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleochroism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

pleochroism

noun
ple·​och·​ro·​ism plē-ˈäk-rə-ˌwiz-əm How to pronounce pleochroism (audio)
: the property of a crystal of showing different colors when viewed by light that vibrates parallel to different axes
pleochroic adjective

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