orthochromatic

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or producing tone values of light and shade in a photograph that correspond to the tones in nature
2
: sensitive to all colors except red

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of orthochromatic was in 1887

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orthochromatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orthochromatic. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

orthochromatic

adjective
1
: of, relating to, or producing tone values of light and shade in a photograph that correspond to the tones in nature
2
: sensitive to all colors except red
3
: staining in the normal way
orthochromatic tissue
an orthochromatic erythroblast
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