Dictionary

melanin

noun mel·a·nin \ˈme-lə-nən\

: a dark brown or black substance that is a natural part of people's skin, hair, and eyes

Full Definition of MELANIN

:  any of various black, dark brown, reddish-brown, or yellow pigments of animal or plant structures (as skin or hair)
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First Known Use of MELANIN

1843
Medical Dictionary

melanin

noun mel·a·nin \ˈmel-ə-nən\

Medical Definition of MELANIN

:  any of various black, dark brown, reddish brown, or yellow pigments of animal or plant structures (as skin, hair, the choroid, or a raw potato when exposed to air); especially :  any of numerous animal pigments that are essentially polymeric derivatives of indole formed by enzymatic modification of tyrosine

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