chromophobe

adjective

chro·​mo·​phobe ˈkrō-mə-ˌfōb How to pronounce chromophobe (audio)
: resisting staining with dyes

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German chromophob, from chromo- chromo- + -phob "lacking affinity for," borrowed from Greek -phobos "fearing" — more at -phobia

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chromophobe was circa 1909

Dictionary Entries Near chromophobe

Cite this Entry

“Chromophobe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromophobe. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

chromophobe

1 of 2 adjective
chro·​mo·​phobe ˈkrō-mə-ˌfōb How to pronounce chromophobe (audio)
variants also chromophobic
: not readily absorbing stains : difficult to stain
chromophobe tumors
chromophoby noun
plural chromophobies

chromophobe

2 of 2 noun
: a chromophobe cell especially of the pituitary gland
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!