pheomelanin

[ fee-oh-mel-uh-nin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a melanin pigment produced in the presence of the amino acid cysteine and adding color to skin, hair, feathers, etc. Compare eumelanin ( def ), neuromelanin ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of pheomelanin¹

First recorded in 1920–25; pheo- (from Greek phaiós “gray”) + melanin ( def )