Definition

A type of blue dye that is used to make photographic materials more sensitive to light, especially in the green, yellow, red, and infrared parts of the spectrum.

Example

The photographer used cyanine to enhance the sensitivity of his film.

Conversation

I just learned about this dye called cyanine in my photography class.

Oh really? What makes it special?

It helps to sensitize film to a wider range of light, which is pretty cool.

That sounds interesting! I can't wait to see how it affects the photos.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cyanine → It is derived from "cyano-" (from Greek "kyanos", meaning dark blue) and "-ine" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote substances). The word "cyanine" refers to a blue pigment or dye, reflecting its color origin.

Memory Tip

Think of 'dark blue' ('cyano-') to remember that 'cyanine' refers to a blue pigment.

Visually Confused Words