Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

melanosis

American  
[mel-uh-noh-sis] / ˌmɛl əˈnoʊ sɪs /

noun

Pathology.
  1. abnormal deposition or development of black or dark pigment in the tissues.

  2. a discoloration caused by this.


melanosis British  
/ ˌmɛləˈnəʊsɪs, ˌmɛləˈnɒtɪk, ˈmɛləˌnɪzəm /

noun

  1. pathol a skin condition characterized by excessive deposits of melanin

"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

Other Word Forms

  • melanotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of melanosis

First recorded in 1815–25; from New Latin, Late Greek melánōsis “a becoming black”; melan-, -osis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The melanosis or blackening of insect blood, for instance, is due to the oxidation of a chromogen, the pigment produced being known as a uranidine.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various

It seemed to be physiologically analogous to melanosis.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

We are in trouble just now, on account of a neglected hereditary melanosis, as Monsieur Trousseau might call it.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 67, May, 1863 by Various

The history of rachitis, of melanosis, and of osteoporosis, as related to an abnormal frangibility of the bones, is a part of our common medical knowledge.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.