melanocyte

[ muh-lan-uh-sahyt, mel-uh-nuh- ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a cell producing and containing melanin.

melanocyte

/ ˈmɛlənəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. anatomy zoology a cell, usually in the epidermis, that contains melanin

melanocyte

/ mĕl′ə-nō-sīt′,mə-lăn′ə- /

1. An epidermal cell that synthesizes melanin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of melanocyte¹

First recorded in 1885–90; melano- + -cyte