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chromatophoric

 - 4 dictionary results

chro⋅mat⋅o⋅phore

  [kruh-mat-uh-fawr, -fohr, kroh-muh-tuh‑]
Use chromatophoric in a Sentence
–noun
1. Zoology. a cell containing pigment, esp. one that through contraction and expansion produces a temporary color, as in cuttlefishes.
2. Botany. one of the colored plastids in plant cells.
Origin:
1860–65; chromato- + -phore

Related forms:
chro⋅mat⋅o⋅phor⋅ic  [kruh-mat-uh-fawr-ik, ‑for-ik, kroh-muh-tuh‑] , chro⋅ma⋅toph⋅or⋅ous  [kroh-muh-tof-er-uhs] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To chromatophoric
chro·mat·o·phore   (krō-māt'ə-fôr', -fōr')   
n.  

  1. A pigment-containing or pigment-producing cell, especially in certain lizards, that by expansion or contraction can change the color of the skin. Also called pigment cell.

  2. A specialized pigment-bearing organelle in certain photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria.

chro·mat'o·phor'ic (-fôr'ĭk, -fŏr'-) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: chro·mato·phore
Pronunciation: krO-'mat-&-"fO(&)r, kr&-, -"fo(&)r
Function: noun
1 : a pigment-bearing cellespecially in the skin
2 : the organelle of photosynthesis in blue-green algae and photosynthetic bacteria; broadly : CHROMOPLAST, CHLOROPLAST —chro·mato·phor·ic /-"mat-&-'fOr-ik, -'for-/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

chromatophore chro·mat·o·phore (krō-māt'ə-fôr')
n.

  1. A specialized pigment-bearing organelle in certain photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria.

  2. A pigment-bearing phagocyte found chiefly in the skin, mucous membrane, and choroid coat of the eye, as well as in melanomas. Also called pigment cell.

  3. Variant of chromophore.

chro·mat'o·phor'ic (-fôr'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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