Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

(mĕl′ȧ-nĭz’m)

Noun.

[Gr.

μέλας

-ανος

, black.]

An undue development of dark-colored pigment in the skin or its appendages; – the opposite of

albinism

(Med.)

A disease; black jaundice. See

melanism ‎(plural melanisms)

Congenital excess of melanin pigmentation in the skin, hair, feathers and/or eyes.

congenital excess of melanin pigmentation