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Glite Dictionary
⬛ Two colors 🔊 Two tones
bitonal

bitonal

1 7.4
Having only two colors or tones, for example black and white
  • adjective
  • /baɪˈtoʊnəl/
  • Specialized
: 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

bicolor
vsbitonal
1 4.9

Having two different colors

can mean two tones as well as two colors, not only colors
bicolored
vsbitonal
  • US
1 4.2

Having two different colors

also refers to two tones or colors in art and music contexts
duotone
vsbitonal
1 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
1 8.6

Something that has only two colors

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

Antonyms

polychromatic
  • Specialized
1 7.5

Having many different colors like a rainbow

monotonal
1 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.