trichroism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “trichroism” mean?
The property of certain crystals to exhibit three different colors when viewed along different crystallographic axes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The property of certain crystals to exhibit three different colors when viewed along different crystallographic axes.
A specific type of pleochroism where an anisotropic material shows three distinct colors due to differential light absorption in different directions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term with no additional connotations in either dialect.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both dialects, confined to academic and technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “trichroism” in a Sentence
The crystal exhibits trichroism.Trichroism is observed in anisotropic materials.Scientists analyze the trichroism of gemstones.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trichroism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The trichroic effects are clearly visible.
- This mineral is distinctly trichroic.
American English
- Trichroic crystals are often studied in labs.
- The sample exhibits trichroic characteristics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; rarely if ever used in business contexts.
Academic
Common in geology, mineralogy, physics, and materials science publications.
Everyday
Extremely rare in everyday conversation; mostly unknown to general public.
Technical
Frequently used in technical descriptions, identification guides, and research on crystals and gemstones.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trichroism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “trichroism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trichroism”
- Mispronouncing as /trɪˈkroʊɪzəm/ instead of /ˈtraɪkroʊɪzəm/.
- Misspelling as 'trichroism' with a single 'c' or 'trichroicism'.
- Confusing with dichroism without specifying the number of colors.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Trichroism is the optical property where a crystal exhibits three different colors when viewed along different crystallographic directions, due to anisotropic light absorption.
It is primarily used in mineralogy, gemology, geology, and materials science for describing, identifying, and studying anisotropic crystals and gemstones.
Pleochroism is a broader term for showing multiple colors in anisotropic materials, while trichroism specifically refers to the display of three colors.
No, trichroism is specific to certain crystals and gemstones; it is not observed in everyday objects and requires specialized knowledge to identify.
The property of certain crystals to exhibit three different colors when viewed along different crystallographic axes.
Trichroism is usually technical/scientific in register.
Trichroism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪkrəʊɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪkroʊɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'tri-' means three and 'chro-' relates to color, so trichroism is about three colors in crystals.
Conceptual Metaphor
A trichroic crystal is like a prism that reveals different hidden colors depending on how you look at it.
Practice
Quiz
What does trichroism refer to?