melanous

American  

[mel-uh-nuhs] / ˈmɛl ə nəs /

adjective

1. having a dark, swarthy complexion and dark-colored hair.

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melanous British  

/ ˈmɛlənəs, ˌmɛləˈnɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. having a dark complexion and black hair

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Other Word Forms

• melanosity noun

Etymology

Origin of melanous

First recorded in 1835–40; melan- ( def. ) + -ous ( def. )

Example Sentences

To the different characters of human complexion, Dr Prichard gives three distinctive terms—the melanous or brunette; the xanthous or blonde; and the leucous or albino; the melanous predominating in the southern countries, the xanthous in the northern.

From Project Gutenberg

The change from the xanthous to the melanous complexion, is a circumstance of constant occurrence; there are few children born, whose complexion does not darken as they grow up, in many cases undergoing a total change: the passage from dark to fair is rare, but it constantly occurs that xanthous, or even leucous children, are born of melanous parents.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, each column is subdivided transversely into four compartments, one for the "leucous," people with fair complexions and yellow or red hair; one for the "leucomelanous," with dark hair and pale skins; one for the "xanthomelanous," with black hair and yellow, brown, or olive skins; and one for the "melanous," with black hair and dark brown or blackish skins.

From Project Gutenberg