1597 (of music), 1831 (of color), from Gk. khromatikos "suited for color," from khroma (gen. khromatos) "color, complexion, character," but also used of music, orig. "skin, surface."
Main Entry: chro·mat·ic Pronunciation: krO-'mat-ik Function: adjective 1: of, relating to, or characterized by color or colorphenomena or sensations <chromatic perception> <chromatic stimuli> 2: capable of being colored by staining agents <chromatic substances>