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phthalocyanine

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌfθæloʊˈsaɪəˌniːn/

KK: /fæləsəˈsaɪn/

noun
Definition

A type of stable organic pigment that is bright blue or green, used in various materials like inks and plastics.


Example

The artist chose phthalocyanine for its vibrant color in the painting.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever heard of phthalocyanine?
Sloth B
No, I haven't. What is it used for?
Sloth A
It's actually a pigment used in inks and plastics, really vibrant colors!
Sloth B
That sounds interesting! I love learning about different materials.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
pigment
dye
colorant
Antonyms
bleach
filler
diluent
Root Explanation

Phthalocyanine → It is formed from "phthalo-" (derived from "phthalic acid", which comes from the Greek "phthalein", meaning to be pale or to fade) and "cyanine" (from "cyan", which comes from the Greek "kyanos", meaning dark blue). The word refers to a blue-green pigment derived from phthalic acid and is characterized by its vivid color.

Memory Tip

Think of 'phthalo-' relating to a pale or faded color and 'cyanine' connecting to a dark blue hue. This helps you remember that phthalocyanine is a vivid blue-green pigment.

Visually Confused Words
allocyanine
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