metachromasia

 
Pronunciation: /ˌmɛtəkrə(ʊ)ˈmeɪzɪə/

noun

[mass noun] Biology
  • the property of certain biological materials of staining a different colour from that of the stain used.
  • the property of certain stains of changing colour in the presence of certain biological materials.

Derivatives

metachromatic

adjective

Origin:

early 20th century: modern Latin, from meta- (expressing change) + Greek khrōma 'colour'