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Glite Dictionary
⬛ Two colors 🔊 Two tones
bitonal

bitonal

7.4
Having only two colors or tones, for example black and white
  • adjective
  • /baɪˈtoʊnəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bitonal
  • In this bitonal image, the contrast between black and white enhances the overall effect.

Examples

  • Adaptive arithmetic compression, as used in ABIC 1, 2 and JBIG 3, 4, provides by far the best average and worst-case compression ratios on bitonal data.

    Academic text (1998)

  • With no compression hardware existing at the time that could support the requirements of the multifunction peripheral market, Xionics decided in 1995 to develop such a core as part of their integrated MFP silicon solution, XipChip, and began a collaboration with IBM Microelectronics to develop a bitonal compression solution.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The artist created a stunning bitonal painting that used only shades of blue and yellow.

  • Many musical compositions feature a bitonal structure, intertwining melodies in two distinct keys.

Synonyms

bicolored
vsbitonal
  • US
1 4.2

Having two different colors

also refers to two tones or colors in art and music contexts
duotone
vsbitonal
6.0

A picture or design that uses only two colors to make a strong look

is used across art and music as only two tones or colors
bichrome
vsbitonal
8.6

Something that has only two colors

refers more broadly to any use of only two tones or colors
bicolor
vsbitonal
4.9

Having two different colors

can mean two tones as well as two colors, not only colors

Antonyms

polychromatic
  • Specialized
1 7.5

Having many different colors like a rainbow

monotonal
7.3

A thing that uses only one color or shade

Surface Forms

bitonal positive

Morphology

bitonal = tonal (transparent) = bi + ton + al

The prefix 'bi-' clearly indicates two, and 'tonal' refers to tones, making the meaning straightforward.

Etymology

Bitonal comes from the prefix bi- meaning 'two', as in bicycle, and from tone meaning 'a sound or color shade'. So a bitonal image or design uses only two tones or colors, which is why it looks simple and clear.