The atomic grouping upon which the color of a substance depends. SYN: chromatophore (3), color radical. [chromo- + G. phoros, bearing]
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chro·mo·phore 'krō-mə-.fō(ə)r, -.fȯ(ə)r n a chemical group (as an azo group) that absorbs light at a specific frequency and so imparts color to a molecule also a colored chemical compound
chro·mo·phor·ic .krō-mə-'fȯr-ik, -'fär- adj
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chro·mo·phore (kroґmo-for) any chemical group whose presence gives a decided color to a compound and which unites with certain other groups (auxochromes) to form dyes; called also color radical.Medical dictionary. 2011.