chromophore

noun chro·mo·phore \ ˈkrō-mə-ˌfȯr \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of chromophore

: a chemical group (such as an azo group) that absorbs light at a specific frequency and so imparts color to a molecule; also : a colored chemical compound

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chromophoric

play \ˌkrō-mə-ˈfȯr-ik, -ˈfär-\ adjective

Recent Examples of chromophore from the Web

With far infrared instruments on JWST, teams at University of Leicester in the United Kingdom are hoping to locate such chromophores in the red spot.

— shannon stirone, WIRED, "Space Photos of the Week: Scientists Are Seeing Red Over Jupiter’s Spot," 30 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chromophore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chromophore

chromo- + -phore

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1879

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

chromophore

noun chro·mo·phore \ ˈkrō-mə-ˌfō(ə)r, -ˌfȯ(ə)r \

medical Definition of chromophore

: a chemical group (as an azo group) that absorbs light at a specific frequency and so imparts color to a molecule; also : a colored chemical compound

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