melanic
- adjective
- /məˈlænɪk/
- Specialized
:
melánico
- The melanic variety of the butterfly is more common in polluted urban areas.
Examples
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Scientists studied the melanic traits in certain populations of birds.
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A melanic mouse blends easily into the dark volcanic rocks of its habitat.
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Look at that melanic butterfly!
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The melanic lizard was found in a cave.
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The melanic coloration of the bird helps it camouflage in shadowy environments.
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Scientists observed that some frogs exhibit melanic patterns to adapt to their dark surroundings.
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Due to their melanic traits, these insects are less visible to predators in their natural habitat.
Synonyms
588
1.0
Having a deep brown or nearly black color
13
2.2
A person who has naturally dark skin
3
5.4
Having naturally dark skin
1
1.3
Having a dark shade, like deep blue or black
1
2.0
A little less light in color than usual
Darker patches on the skin caused by extra pigment
Antonyms
How Dark
Surface Forms
Morphology
melanic = melanin (semi-transparent) = melan + ic
Formed by adding the adjectival suffix '-ic' to 'melanin'; the relation is direct but the base 'melanin' is a technical term, so the meaning may not be obvious to average learners.
Etymology
Melanic comes from the Greek root melan-, which means 'black' and is the same root in melanin and melanoma. So something called melanic has more dark pigment or looks darker in colour.