chromatic etymology

Etymology

The word "chromatic" comes from the Greek word "khroma," which means "color." The suffix "-atic" means "relating to." So, "chromatic" means "relating to color."

Meaning

The word "chromatic" can have a few different meanings. In general, it refers to anything that has to do with color. For example, you might talk about chromatic aberration, which is a type of distortion that occurs when light passes through a lens. You might also talk about chromatic scales, which are musical scales that use all 12 notes of the Western musical system.

In the field of music, the term "chromatic" specifically refers to notes that are not part of the diatonic scale. These notes are called "chromatic notes" or "accidentals." They are used to add color and interest to a melody or harmony.

Origin

The word "chromatic" was first used in the English language in the 16th century. It comes from the Latin word "chromaticus," which in turn comes from the Greek word "khroma." The word "khroma" is related to the word "khrus," which means "gold." This is because gold was one of the first colors that humans learned to reproduce artificially.

chromatic relate terms

  • chroma

    Etymology The word chroma is derived from the Greek word khroma meaning color M

  • grit

    Etymology Old English grēot Proto Germanic grauto Proto Indo European ghr̥ t

  • achromatic

    Etymology The word achromatic is derived from two Greek words a ἄ meaning w

  • chromatic

    Etymology The word chromatic comes from the Greek word khroma which means color T

  • monochromatic

    Etymology Mono Greek single one Chromatic Greek referring to color Meaning

  • mono

    Etymology The word mono is derived from the Greek word monos meaning single or a

  • chromatic

    Etymology The word chromatic comes from the Greek word khroma which means color T

  • monochrome

    Etymology The word monochrome is derived from the Greek words mono μόνο meani

  • diatonic

    Etymology The word diatonic is derived from the Greek word διάτονος diatóno

  • pale

    Etymology Old English pal adjective and palan verb Middle English pale adjec

  • crimson

    Etymology The word crimson comes from the Old French word cremesin which is derived

  • scarlet

    Etymology Middle English scarlet from Old French escarlate from Late Latin scarlatum

  • rhythm

    Etymology Old French rithme Latin rhythmus Greek ῥυθμός rhythmos Meaning

  • vernacular

    Vernacular Etymology Meaning A folk or common sense etymology that is not based on histo

  • hectic

    Etymology The word hectic comes from the Greek word hektikos which means habitual

  • gobbledygook

    Etymology The word gobbledygook is a portmanteau of two words Gobble To speak or e

  • resolve

    Etymology Latin resolvere meaning to loosen untie dissolve Meaning To separa

  • renounce

    Etymology Origin Late Middle English in the sense abandon give up from Old Fr