a cell in the skin of frogs, chameleons, etc, in which pigment is concentrated or dispersed, causing the animal to change colour
2. another name for chromoplast
Derived forms
chromatophoric (ˌchromatoˈphoric) or chromatophorous (ˌkrəʊməˈtɒfərəs)
adjective
chromatophore in American English
(kroʊˈmætəˌfɔr; ˈkroʊmətəˌfɔr)
noun
1.
a special animal cell, usually dermal, that contains pigment granules: it is often capable of expansion and contraction in such a manner that the skin color changes, as in the chameleon
2.
a plastid containing chlorophyll or other pigments