achromatic
/ˌakrə(ʊ)ˈmatɪk
/adjective
1Relating to, using, or denoting lenses that transmit light without separating it into constituent colours: achromatic microscopes a lens of achromatic construction...
- The modern achromatic compound microscope was invented in 1878, and it was this instrument that added the extra dimension of the microscopic study of tissues to anatomical teaching.
- The 'Barlow lens', a modification of this telescope lens, is a negative achromatic combination of flint glass and crown glass.
- This behavior is also common in two-material waveplates such as achromatic waveplates constructed from quartz and magnesium fluoride plates.
2 literary Without colour: the achromatic gloom...
- Lincoln checked her watch and nodded as an emaciated gray bus spluttered dead; pausing on its way to the ring of featureless, achromatic roads which led to the main structure of South Street ferry port.
- Random branches hung aimlessly above her head and the neighbors' rose bushes stretched thinly across their metal fence like an achromatic spider web.
- The ocean, also rather achromatic, kissed the foundation of the towering building, spraying up to the pediment.
Derivatives
achromatically
achromaticity
achromatism
Origin
Late 18th century: via French from Greek a- 'without' + khrōmatikos (from khrōma 'colour').
Rhymes
- conservatism
- conservative
- Conservative Judaism
- conservatively
- conservativeness
- Conservative Party
- conservative with a small ‘c’
- conservativism
- conservatize
- conservatizing
- conservatoire
- conservator
- conservatorio
- conservatorium
- conservatory
- conserve
- conserver
- consider
- considerable
- considerably
- considerate
- considerately
- considerateness
- consideration
- considering