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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OTHER WORDS FROM melanism
mel·a·nis·tic, adjectiveWords nearby melanism
Melanie, melaniferous, melanin, Melanion, Melanippus, melanism, melanite, melano-, melanoameloblastoma, melanoblast, melanoblastoma
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for melanism
On the other hand, melanism, or a tendency to the production of dark or even black forms, reveals itself.
The Butterfly Book|William Jacob HollandMelanism is rather more common in the case of the male sex than in the female sex.
The Butterfly Book|William Jacob HollandOnly 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. PackardMelanism: 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, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for melanism
melanism
[ mĕl′ə-nĭz′əm ]
n.
melanosis
Dark coloration of the skin, hair, fur, or feathers because of a high concentration of melanin.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.