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chromogen

American  
[kroh-muh-juhn, -jen] / ˈkroʊ mə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

noun

  1. Chemistry.

    1. any substance found in organic fluids that forms colored compounds when oxidized.

    2. a colored compound that, though not a dye itself, can be converted into a dye.

  2. a chromogenic bacterium.


chromogen British  
/ ˈkrəʊmədʒən /

noun

  1. a compound that forms coloured compounds on oxidation

  2. a substance that can be converted to a dye

  3. a bacterium that produces a pigment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of chromogen

First recorded in 1855–60; chromo- + -gen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This excludes large areas of homogenous staining and areas of more diffuse, non-specific chromogen deposit.

From Nature • Sep. 8, 2015

It is supposed to exist in the cells of algæ, chiefly as a colorless chromogen, which becomes first yellow and then brown on exposure to air.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred

Furth and Hugo Schneider showed that a tyrosinase could be obtained from the blood of certain insects, and, acting upon a chromogen present in the blood, converted it into a pigmentary substance of melanin-like nature.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

Whether albinoes carry the tyrosinase or other ferment, or whether they carry the chromogen or chromogens, is not yet settled.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

The melanosis or blackening of insect blood, for instance, is due to the oxidation of a chromogen, the pigment produced being known as a uranidine.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various