The word "melanous" refers to something that is dark or black in color, typically due to the presence of the pigment melanin. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The pronunciation of "melanous" is /ˈmɛlənəs/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced as "mel" with a short "e" sound, and the second syllable is pronounced as "an" with a short "a" sound. The final syllable is pronounced as "us" with a short "u" sound.
Melanous is an adjective that describes something as being dark or black in color, particularly referring to something that is naturally or inherently black, such as the pigmentation found in the skin, hair, feathers, or scales of organisms. The term is derived from the Greek word "melas," meaning black.
In scientific and biological contexts, melanous is often used to describe the presence of melanin, a pigment responsible for the darker coloration found in various living organisms. Melanin lends color to the skin, hair, and eyes of humans and animals, and it serves crucial functions in protection against harmful UV radiation from the sun.
The term melanous can also be used to describe objects or substances that are naturally dark or black. For example, it may be employed to describe the deep black color of certain minerals, rocks, or soils. It can also refer to the darker coloration of certain body tissues or organs due to the presence of melanin or other pigments.
Overall, melanous describes the characteristic dark or black coloration of living organisms, natural substances, or objects, and it is primarily associated with the presence of melanin.
Dark complexioned, brunette.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "melanous" is derived from the Greek word "melanos", meaning "black". The Greek root "melan-" or "melas" refers to the color black or darkness. The suffix "-ous" is derived from the Latin "-osus", meaning "full of" or "characterized by". Thus, "melanous" refers to something that is black or dark in color.