a property of a uniaxial crystal, such as tourmaline, of showing a perceptible difference in colour when viewed along two different axes in transmitted white light
See also pleochroism
2.
a property of certain solutions as a result of which the wavelength (colour) of the light transmitted depends on the concentration of the solution and the length of the path of the light within the solution
dichroism in American English
(ˈdaɪkroʊˌɪzəm)
noun
1.
the property that doubly refracting crystals have of transmitting light of different colors when looked at from different angles
2.
the property of a substance of transmitting light of different colors depending on its thickness or on its concentration in solution
3.
the property of a substance of having one color when it reflects light and another when it transmits light
Word origin
< Gr dichroos, of two colors < di-, two + chrōs, skin, complexion, color (for IE base see chroma) + -ism