melanism

[mel-uh-niz-uh m]

See more synonyms for melanism on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of melanism

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

Related formsmel·a·nis·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for melanism

Historical Examples

Melanism: an abnormal or unusual darkening: a suffusion with blackish.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
John. B. Smith
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
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

British Dictionary definitions for melanism

melanism

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 Formsmelanistic, 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