Chromophobia

/ˌkroʊmoʊˈfoʊbiə/ noun

Definition

An irrational fear of colors or an aversion to being stained by dyes and pigments.

Etymology

From Greek 'chroma' (color) + 'phobos' (fear). While sometimes used in psychology to describe color anxiety, it's more common in biology to describe cellular resistance to dyes.

Kelly Says

Chromophobia is rarer in humans than the sound of the word suggests, but in cells it's common—many viruses and certain pathogens actively resist staining because they lack the chemical structures that bind to dyes.

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