melanism

[ mel-uh-niz-uh m ]
/ ˈmɛl əˌnɪz əm /

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

OTHER WORDS FROM melanism

mel·a·nis·tic, adjective

Words nearby melanism

melanie, melaniferous, melanin, melanion, melanippus, melanism, melanite, melano-, melanoameloblastoma, melanoblast, melanoblastoma

Example sentences from the Web for melanistic

British Dictionary definitions for melanistic

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, adjective

Medical definitions for melanistic

melanism
[ mĕl′ə-nĭz′əm ]

n.

melanosis
Dark coloration of the skin, hair, fur, or feathers because of a high concentration of melanin.

Scientific definitions for melanistic

melanism
[ mĕl′ə-nĭz′əm ]

Dark coloration of the skin, hair, fur, or feathers because of a high concentration of melanin.