dichromatic

[ dahy-kroh-mat-ik, -kruh- ]

adjective

1. Also having or showing two colors; dichromic.
2. Zoology. exhibiting two color phases within a species not due to age or season.

dichromatic

/ daɪˈkrəʊməˌtɪzəm; ˌdaɪkrəʊˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. Alsodichroic having or consisting of only two colours
2. (of animal species) having two different colour varieties that are independent of sex and age
3. able to perceive only two (instead of three) primary colours and the mixes of these colours

Derived Forms

• dichromatism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dichromatic¹

First recorded in 1840–50; di- ¹ + chromatic

Example Sentences

There have been some cases where people have been dichromatic in one eye only.

From Scientific American

The animals are also dichromatic, meaning they only see blues, greens, and yellows—though Pigcasso's palette also has red.

From National Geographic

The researchers concluded that the familiar gray tree squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, have dichromatic color vision.

From New York Times

Dogs have such a "dichromatic" view of the world as shown in this image of an owner's legs.

From BBC

This shows that the visual power of these people is dichromatic and not trichromatic, as their power is limited to two colours, or pairs of colours, and does not extend to three.

From Project Gutenberg