chro·ma·tol·y·sis \ˌkrōməˈtäləsə̇s\noun (pluralchromatoly·ses \-əˌsēz\) Etymology: New Latin, from chromat- + -lysis : the dissolution and breaking up of chromophil material (as Nissl bodies or chromatin) of a cell • chro·mato·lyt·ic\ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷, | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ at chromato-+|lid.ik\adjective