melanin
pronunciation
How to pronounce melanin in British English:
UK [ˈmelənɪn]
How to pronounce melanin in American English:
US [ˈmɛlənɪn]
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- Noun:
- insoluble pigments that account for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers
Word Origin
- melanin (n.)
- dark brown or black pigment found in animal bodies, 1832, Modern Latin, with chemical suffix -in (2); first element from Greek melas (genitive melanos) "black," from PIE root *mel- (2) "of darkish color" (cognates: Sanskrit malinah "dirty, stained, black," Lithuanian melynas "blue," Latin mulleus "reddish"). Related: Melanism; melanistic.
Example
- 1. Melanin is also responsible for hair and eye coloring .
- 2. Melanin is the brown pigment that causes tanning .
- 3. Dark-skinned people produce more numerous and deeper-colored melanin particles .
- 4. Melanin also plays a role in the development of certain optical nerves .
- 5. Melanin is the body 's way of protecting skin from burning .