Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Of or related to melanin; black-pigmented.
  • adjective Of or affected with melanosis.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A pigment resembling or belonging to the melanins.
  • Having a black or dark appearance.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word melanoid.

Examples

  • There is a black variety of the chanko, as there is of the European wolf, and by some he is considered a distinct species, but is really a melanoid variety, though Kinloch writes: "The black chanko is rather larger than the grey one; he is of a beautiful glossy black, with a small white star on the chest and a few grey hairs about the muzzle."

    Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon Robert Armitage Sterndale 1870

  • A melanoid variety of this species is mentioned by Dr. Anderson as being in the Leyden Museum.

    Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon Robert Armitage Sterndale 1870

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.