Discoloration is a word that describes an alteration in color, usually something becoming lighter or darker due to damage or age. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is [dɪsˌkʌləˈreɪʃən]. The first syllable is pronounced as "dihss," with the emphasis on the second syllable. The second syllable is pronounced as "kuhl," with the stress on the first syllable. The third syllable is pronounced as "raysh," with the stress on the second syllable. The final syllable is pronounced as "shən."
Discoloration refers to the alteration or change in the natural coloration or pigmentation of an object, substance, or surface. It is a process or condition that results in the appearance of colors different from the original or expected ones. Discoloration can affect various materials, including fabrics, metals, plastics, wood, and even organic matter like skin or leaves.
Discoloration can occur due to a variety of factors. For instance, exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation can cause fading or darkening of colors in fabrics or paintings. Oxidation, wherein a substance combines with oxygen, can also lead to discoloration; this is often evidenced by the formation of rust on metal surfaces. Similarly, chemical reactions, such as the interaction between acids and metals, can cause discoloration.
Moreover, discoloration can be a result of biological processes. For example, the growth of mold or algae on a surface may lead to the appearance of green, black, or brown patches. In living organisms, discoloration can occur due to various factors like bruises, skin infections, or diseases, resulting in a change of skin tone on humans or the browning of fruits and vegetables.
In conclusion, discoloration refers to the visible change in color of an object or material caused by natural processes like exposure to light, chemical reactions, or biological factors. Understanding the causes and prevention of discoloration is crucial to maintaining the aesthetic integrity and functionality of various materials and objects.
The act of altering the colour; a staining; alteration of colour.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "discoloration" is derived from the Latin word "discolor", which means "of different colors" or "variegated". This Latin word is a combination of the prefix "dis-", meaning "apart" or "away", and the word "color", which means "color". So "discoloration" refers to something becoming a different color or losing its original color.