I. krōˈmad.]ik, krə-, -at], ]ēk, attrib also ˈkrōˌm- adjective
Etymology: Greek chrōmatikos, from chrōmat-, chrōma skin, color, modification of diatonic music consisting of the use of tones altered in pitch; akin to Greek chrōs skin, color, Old English grēot sand; basic meaning: to rub, grind — more at grit
1.
a. : having to do with color : with respect to color phenomena
b. : evoking, resulting from, or associated with color sensations
c. : full of color : highly colored
2.
a. : having or manifesting chroma
b. : exhibiting hues or embracing the hues
c. : with respect to hue or saturation
3.
a. of a Greek tetrachord : comprising successive steps of 1 1/2, 1/2, and 1/2 — distinguished from diatonic and enharmonic
b. : of, relating to, or giving all the tones of the chromatic scale
a chromatic harmonica
chromatic intervals
c. of harmony : characterized by frequent use of tones foreign to the basic mode or key of the piece containing the harmony
4. biology
a. : capable of being colored by staining agents
b. : of, like, or relating to chromatin
5. of language or prose : of, relating to, or having colorful connotations or evocative power
the full chromatic and diatonic possibilities of the prose medium — G.M.Hopkins
chromatic words — F.R.Leavis
6. : executed in fine usually colorful detail
chromatic coverage of the Dark Continent — Newsweek
a masterpiece of chromatic mendacity — J.J.Ingalls
• chro·mat·i·cal·ly -ə̇k(ə)lē, -ēk-, -li\ adverb
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: French chromatique, from chromatique, adjective, from Greek chrōmatikos
: accidental II 3