a special animal cell, usually dermal, that contains pigment granules: it is often capable of expansion and contraction in such a manner that the skin color changes, as in the chameleon
a plastid containing chlorophyll or other pigments
Origin:
chromato- + -phore
See chromatophore in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A pigment-containing or pigment-producing cell, especially in certain lizards, that by expansion or contraction can change the color of the skin. Also called pigment cell.
A specialized pigment-bearing organelle in certain photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria.