melanism

3 definitions found

melanism - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Melanism \Mel"a*nism\ (m[e^]l"[.a]*n[i^]z'm), n. (Ethnol.)
     The character of having a high degree of pigmentation, as
     shown in dark skin, eyes, and hair.
     [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

  Melanism \Mel"a*nism\ (m[e^]l"[.a]*n[i^]z'm), n. [Gr. me`las,
     -anos, black.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. An undue development of dark-colored pigment in the skin
        or its appendages; -- the opposite of albinism.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Med.) A disease; black jaundice. See Melaena.
        [1913 Webster]

melanism - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  melanism
      n 1: a condition characterized by abnormal deposits of melanin
           (especially in the skin) [syn: melanosis, melanism]