How Do You Spell PLEOCHROISM?

Pronunciation: [plɪˈɒkɹə͡ʊˌɪzəm] (IPA)

Pleochroism (/pliːˈɒkrəʊɪzəm/) is a term used in mineralogy to describe the phenomenon where a mineral appears to change color when viewed from different angles. This is due to the absorption of light by different crystal orientations within the mineral. The word itself is a combination of the Greek words "pleo" meaning "more" and "chroma" meaning "color". The spelling of pleochroism can be broken down phonetically as "plee-oh-kroh-iz-um".

PLEOCHROISM Meaning and Definition

1. Pleochroism is a term used in optics and mineralogy to describe the phenomenon where a mineral or crystal exhibits different colors when viewed from different angles or under different lighting conditions. The word "pleochroism" is derived from the Greek words "pleos," meaning "more," and "chroa," meaning "color."

   In pleochroic minerals, the absorption of light varies depending on the direction in which it passes through the crystal lattice. As a result, different wavelengths of light are absorbed to different extents, leading to variations in color perception. When observed with polarized light, pleochroic minerals may show distinct hues or tints, commonly referred to as pleochroic colors. These colors can range from pale to vibrant, and their intensity can provide valuable information about the crystal's composition and structure.

   Pleochroism is an important characteristic used by mineralogists to identify and classify minerals. By analyzing the pleochroic colors displayed by a mineral, researchers can infer its crystallographic orientation and obtain insights into its optical properties. Pleochroism is particularly significant in gemology, where the presence and intensity of pleochroic colors can greatly influence a gemstone's value.

   Overall, pleochroism describes the phenomenon of color variation in minerals or crystals when viewed from different angles or under different lighting conditions. It is a fascinating attribute that allows researchers to gain valuable insights into the composition, structure, and optical properties of various substances.

2. The condition of showing different colors in different positions, noting certain crystals.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PLEOCHROISM

• oleochroism
• lleochroism
• -leochroism
• 0leochroism
• pkeochroism
• ppeochroism
• poeochroism
• plwochroism
• plsochroism
• pldochroism
• plrochroism
• pl4ochroism
• pl3ochroism
• pleichroism
• plekchroism
• plelchroism
• plepchroism
• ple0chroism
• ple9chroism

Etymology of PLEOCHROISM

The word pleochroism comes from the Greek roots pleo meaning more or many, and chroma meaning color.

Similar spelling word for PLEOCHROISM

• pleochroic.