MELANOID Meaning and
Definition
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Melanoid is an adjective used to describe something that resembles or pertains to melanin, a pigment responsible for the coloration of the skin, hair, and eyes in humans and animals. The term derives from the combination of "melanin" and the suffix "-oid," which typically indicates resemblance or similarity.
In a biological context, melanoid refers to variations in pigmentation, particularly regarding dark colors or the presence of melanin. It can describe the dark pigmentation of certain organisms, such as insects or reptiles, that exhibit melanin-based coloration.
In a geological context, melanoid may refer to rocks or minerals that possess a dark coloration resembling the pigment melanin. Such rocks are often rich in organic material, hinting at their formation from decaying plant or animal matter. Melanoid substances are typically compact and dense, and their color ranges from black to dark brown.
Outside of scientific usage, melanoid may also be used metaphorically or figuratively. For example, it can describe someone with dark skin, or it may be used to depict something as dark, somber, or melancholic in a poetic sense. Additionally, the term can be used in the field of cosmetics to describe products that enhance or mimic melanin-based pigmentation, such as self-tanning lotions or bronzers.
Overall, melanoid encompasses a range of meanings related to pigmentation, ranging from biological terms to metaphorical descriptions of darkness or melancholy.
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1. Blackish, deeply pigmented. 2. A pigment obtained by treating a protein with hydrochloric acid and heating.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MELANOID
- nelanoid
- kelanoid
- jelanoid
- mwlanoid
- mslanoid
- mdlanoid
- mrlanoid
- m4lanoid
- m3lanoid
- mekanoid
- mepanoid
- meoanoid
- melznoid
- melsnoid
- melwnoid
- melqnoid
- melaboid
- melamoid
- melajoid
- melahoid
Etymology of MELANOID
The word "melanoid" comes from the combination of two root words: "melan" and "oid".
- "Melan" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "melas", meaning "black" or "dark".
- "Oid" is a suffix that originates from the Greek word "oeidēs", which means "resembling" or "having the form or appearance of".
When these two elements are combined, "melanoid" can be understood to mean "resembling or having the appearance of black or dark".
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