A color science glossary includes terms and phrases that are used in both science and color. These terms are also used to define specific types of applications that apply to both areas.

Achromatic - a color considered neutral, like white or black.

Additive color - the way in which red, blue and green shades are mixed together to make all colors

Binary hue - the mixing of two hues to create a third color

Brightness - perceived light that the eye detects in an image

Chroma - the amount of color hue found in an image, similar to saturation

Chromatic - any color that's bright, but not a neutral shade, examples include red, yellow, blue and green

Color constancy - the ability of a surface to appear the same shade despite changes in illumination

Color space - a method of ordering colors according to their commonalities

Color temperature - a way of determining the temperature of a color when compared to black

Complementary color - the mixing of two similar colors to create a third

Depolarization - decrease in difference of the neuron

Deuteranopia - the inability to see shades of red and green

Dichromacy - condition where the eyes process colors through two different channels

Dither - the process of using pixels of different sizes to create shading

Equiluminant - luminance that is equal in an image or color

Fluorescence - the ability of color to absorb and emit light at different wavelengths

Foreground - the shades and colors found behind the main image

Gamut - all possible colors found within a spectrum

Grating - a pattern created by using stripes of alternating colors

Halftone - a process that turns a regular picture into a picture made of small dots

Hue - the amount of red and blue shades found in different colors

Hue coefficient - ratio between the responses of various shades

Hyperpolarization - increase in the potential difference in a neuron

Illuminant point - location of an illuminant

Intensity - the power of a color as seen by the eye

Invariant hue - a hue that doesn't change its intensity

Ichihara test - a method of determining color blindness

Lightness - the intensity of a color

Luminance - the intensity of a color according to the light source

Monochromatic - a color that exists on only one wavelength

Monochromcy - condition where all colors are processed on a single channel by the eye

Nanometer - unit used to measure a wavelength

Neutral point - a wavelength point that matches between white and a colored light

Optical illusion - a trick of the eye caused by the way the eye perceives a situation or image

Parallax - the way in which the positions of objects change when viewed at different angles

Photophore - an organ that emits light

Photopic vision - vision where the eyes respond only to lights with a high light level

Photoreceptor - neuron that's sensitive to light

Polarization - way in which waves are oriented to create light

Prosopagnosia - a condition where they eye cannot recognize faces

Purity - the lack of other hues used in a particular color

Reflectance - ability of color to reflect light

Saturation - amount of hue used in the creation of a color

Spatial contrast - contrast between spatial elements such as red words on a white background

Spectral light - light that exists on only one wavelength

Subtractive mixture - mixture where the light rays of different colors are absorbed and altered by others

Tritanopia - condition where the eye cannot see shades of yellow or blue

Unique hue - hue where the color is pure and not mixed with other shades or colors

Visible spectrum - spectrum shade visible to the naked eye

Color Matters--introduces concepts on how colors affect other areas

A Glossary of Color Science--definitions of popular terms relating to science

Color Glossary--definitions of larger terms and concepts relating to color

Applied Color Science--information on applied color and how it relates to science

Color Science Basics guide to understanding the introductory concepts found in color science

Revisiting Basic Color Terms--in depth look at basic terms associated with color

Colour Terms--simple definitions of different color terms

Glossary of Color Terms--long dictionary style listing of color terms

Color Glossary--dictionary of color terms

Glossary of Color Terms--full listing of terms relating to color


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