Word origin and history for chroma: Origin: C19: from Greek khrōma colour. (noun) "quality or intensity of color," 1889, from Latinized form of Greek khrōma "surface of the body, skin, color of the skin," also used generically for "color" and, in plural, "ornaments, embellishments," related to khros "surface of the body, skin," khrozein "to touch the surface of the body, to tinge, to color. The artists are asked to visually communicate and express their ideas through their unique use of color, chroma