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melanosis

[mel-uh-noh-sis]
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noun Pathology.
  1. abnormal deposition or development of black or dark pigment in the tissues.
  2. a discoloration caused by this.
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Origin of melanosis

1815–25; < New Latin < Late Greek melánōsis a becoming black. See melan-, -osis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for melanosis

Historical Examples

  • In chronic cases the eventual effects are anaemia, melanosis, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and general cachexia.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 4

    Various

  • He is stated to have died of "melanosis of the lungs," a disease in which the whole substance of the lungs turns completely black.

    Kalli, the Esquimaux Christian

    Thomas Boyles Murray

British Dictionary definitions for melanosis

melanosis

melanism (ˈmɛləˌnɪzəm)

noun
  1. pathol a skin condition characterized by excessive deposits of melanin
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Derived Formsmelanotic (ˌmɛləˈnɒtɪk), 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

Word Origin and History for melanosis

n.

1823, medical Latin, from Greek melanosis "a becoming black," from melanoun "to become black," from melas (genitive melanos); see melanin. Related: Melanotic.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
melanosis in Medicine

melanosis

(mĕl′ə-nō′sĭs)
n.
  1. Abnormally dark pigmentation of the skin or other tissues, resulting from a disorder of pigment metabolism.melanism
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Related formsmel′a•not′ic (-nŏt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.