melanism

[ mel-uh-niz-uhm ]

/ ˈmɛl əˌnɪz əm /

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noun

Ethnology. the condition in human beings of having a high amount of melanin granules in the skin, hair, and eyes.

Zoology. the condition in which an unusually high concentration of melanin occurs in the skin, plumage, or pelage of an animal.

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Origin of melanism

First recorded in 1835–45; melan- + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM melanism

mel·a·nis·tic, adjective

Words nearby melanism

melanic, Melanie, melanin, Melanion, Melanippus, melanism, melanite, melano-, melanoblast, Melanochroi, melanocyte

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use melanism in a sentence

On the other hand, melanism, or a tendency to the production of dark or even black forms, reveals itself.
The Butterfly Book|William Jacob Holland
Melanism is rather more common in the case of the male sex than in the female sex.
The Butterfly Book|William Jacob Holland
Only one case of melanism was observed among all the specimens of both species examined.
Speciation and Evolution of the Pygmy Mice, Genus Baiomys|Robert L. Packard
Melanism: an abnormal or unusual darkening: a suffusion with blackish.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for melanism

melanism

/ (ˈmɛləˌnɪzəm) /

noun

the condition in man and animals of having dark-coloured or black skin, feathers, etc. Industrial melanism is the occurrence of dark varieties of animals, esp moths, in smoke-blackened industrial regions, in which they are well camouflaged

another name for melanosis

Derived forms of melanism

melanistic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for melanism

melanism

[ mĕl′ə-nĭz′əm ]

Dark coloration of the skin, hair, fur, or feathers because of a high concentration of melanin.