metachromatic

adjective

meta·​chro·​mat·​ic ˌme-tə-krō-ˈma-tik How to pronounce metachromatic (audio)
1
: staining or characterized by staining in a different color or shade from what is typical
metachromatic granules in a bacterium
2
: having the capacity to stain different elements of a cell or tissue in different colors or shades
metachromatic stains

Examples of metachromatic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Europe, a product approved for a deadly neurological disorder known as metachromatic leukodystrophy was given list prices of up to $3.9 million. Stephanie Nolen Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023 The couple’s children were born with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which causes muscle weakness, progressive loss of vision and eventual paralysis. Diane Moca, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 So much has changed for them since the early months of the pandemic, when the couple's middle daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called metachromatic leukodystrophyf, or MLD. Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2020 My daughter Calliope has a terminal illness called metachromatic leukodystrophy. Maria Kefalas, STAT, 2 Dec. 2019 Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the U.S. where someone diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy gets fast-tracked for Medicaid. Maria Kefalas, STAT, 2 Dec. 2019 The four-year-old has a rare disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy that could rob him of the ability to walk, sit and hold up his own head within the next year. Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 18 Nov. 2019 Children with the most severe form of metachromatic leukodystrophy develop symptoms like trouble walking or poor muscle tone before the age of 30 months. Vibhav Rangarajan, STAT, 5 June 2018 Most children with metachromatic leukodystrophy don’t survive beyond their 8th birthday. Vibhav Rangarajan, STAT, 5 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of metachromatic was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near metachromatic

Cite this Entry

“Metachromatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metachromatic. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

metachromatic

adjective
meta·​chro·​mat·​ic -krō-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce metachromatic (audio)
1
: staining or characterized by staining in a different color or shade from what is typical
metachromatic granules
2
: having the capacity to stain different elements of a cell or tissue in different colors or shades
metachromatic stains
metachromatically adverb
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