noun

elon

EE-lawn

Elon (noun) means a chemical used in photographic developer, also known as metol, that helps convert exposed silver crystals into a visible image. Example: “The old darkroom recipe called for a pinch of elon dissolved in warm water.”

noun

A chemical used in photographic developer, also known as metol, that helps convert exposed silver crystals into a visible image.

"The old darkroom recipe called for a pinch of elon dissolved in warm water."

How to use elon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA photography-darkroom chemical, not to be confused with the given name Elon.

Common mistake

Lowercase "elon" the chemical is unrelated to the personal name Elon — capitalization is the only clue in writing.

Word forms

Elons plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old darkroom recipe called for a pinch of _____ dissolved in warm water.

Etymology

Taken from a trade name for the chemical, shortened from its full chemical description.

Rhymes for elon

melon felon echelon watermelon

See all rhymes for elon →

Frequently asked questions

What does “elon” mean?

The word “elon” means a chemical used in photographic developer, also known as metol, that helps convert exposed silver crystals into a visible image. In plain terms, a photography-darkroom chemical, not to be confused with the given name Elon.

How do you pronounce “elon”?

“Elon” is pronounced EE-lawn (/ˈiːlɔːn/ in IPA).

How do you use “elon” in a sentence?

Here is “elon” used in a sentence: “The old darkroom recipe called for a pinch of elon dissolved in warm water.”

What part of speech is “elon”?

“Elon” is a noun.