MELANISM

n. Me2l'a2n-i2zm. Lat., melanist nus (from ^iAos, black). Fr., mel an is me. Ger., Schwarzsucht. It., Sp.. mclanismo. 1. A condition characterized by the dark or black color of the skin, occurring as the result of a constitutional anomaly of the organization (cf. ALBINISM) or as a result of Add is on's disease, yellow fever, phthisis, or the protracted internal use of silver nitrate. [L. 41, 44, 50, 93 (a, 14).] 2. A disease of plants in which a dark discoloration is produced. [B, 19 (a, 35).] [s. 730]