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Glite Dictionary
photochromatic

photochromatic

1 8.2
Change color or darken when light gets brighter, for example in sunlight
  • adjective
  • /ˌfoʊtəʊkrəˈmætɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fotocromático
  • The new sunglasses come with photochromatic lenses that darken in bright sunlight.
  • photochromatic lenses

Examples

  • When adaptation to various lighting levels is an issue, photochromatic lenses or a gradient tint may be appropriate.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Photochromatic lenses were provided to three students, and a student with oculocutaneous albinism received sun lenses with a tint and ultraviolet protection.

    Academic text (2008)

  • When exposed to ultraviolet light, the photochromatic material adjusts its color to reduce glare.

  • For outdoor activities, I prefer photochromatic glasses that automatically change tint based on the brightness.

Synonyms

photochromic
vsphotochromatic
  • Specialized
8.1

That changes color when in light

focuses more on darkening especially when exposed to sunlight
parachrome
vsphotochromatic
  • Specialized
9.9

Something that changes color when exposed to light, heat, or chemicals

refers specifically to changes caused by light, especially sunlight

Surface Forms

photochromatic positive

Morphology

photochromatic = chromatic (semi-transparent) = photo + chroma + tic

The form is clearly built from photo- + chromatic, but the specific scientific sense of darkening or changing colour in response to light is more specialized than a fully predictable combination.

Etymology

Photochromatic joins photo- 'light' and -chromatic 'color', and the photo- part is the same as in photograph. So photochromatic describes something whose color changes or darkens when the light changes, like lenses that darken in sunlight.