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Glite Dictionary
dichroic

dichroic

9.9
A material that shows two different colors depending on the light
  • adjective
  • /daɪˈkroʊɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dicroico
  • The pendant sparkles beautifully due to its dichroic properties, reflecting a rainbow of colors.

Examples

  • The artist used dichroic glass to create a stunning window that changes color with the light.

  • The main characteristic of dichroic glass is that it has a particular transmitted color and a completely different color.

    Blog text (10)

  • I use an Omega color enlarger with a dichroic head.

    Academic text (1999)

  • While a dichroic head is a convenience, you can get good results using a condenser enlarger with a set of cyan, yellow, and magenta color correction filters.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Rotating mechanical shutters that run in synchronization with the pulsed laser and dichroic filters prevent the laser light from reaching the final astronomy focal plane.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Handmade dichroic glass beads (in a lab-tempered glass amulet) contain multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides that give the glass dichroic optical properties.

    Blog text (10)

  • When viewed from different angles, the dichroic film displays two vibrant hues depending on the angle of the light.

Synonyms

iridescent
vsdichroic
12 7.6

Bright colors that seem to change when seen from different angles

describes angle dependent color shifts rather than strict two color behavior
bicolored
vsdichroic
  • US
1 4.2

Having two different colors

also involves selective transmission or reflection of specific wavelengths
bicolor
vsdichroic
4.9

Having two different colors

may instead describe optical filtering or wavelength-specific color effects
dichromatic
vsdichroic
8.8

Showing two colors, for example blue and yellow

focuses on optical selection of wavelengths rather than simple color count
duotone
vsdichroic
6.0

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

can also mean selective wavelength reflection or transmission in materials
pleochroic
vsdichroic
  • Specialized
9.9

Showing different colors when light shines through it from different directions

is broader applying to wavelength selection not only polarized directional color

Surface Forms

dichroic positive

Morphology

dichroic = di + chro + ic

The parts di- ('two') and the adjectival suffix -ic are recognizable, but the combining form 'chro' (color) is not a standalone common English word and may be unfamiliar to average B1 learners.

Etymology

The word dichroic comes from the Greek parts di- meaning 'two' and chro- from chroma meaning 'colour', the same root you see in monochrome. So dichroic literally means 'two-coloured', which is why a dichroic filter or glass shows two different colours or lets some colours of light pass while reflecting others.