melanin

mel·a·nin  (ml-nn)

n.

Any of a group of naturally occurring dark pigments, especially the pigment found in skin, hair, fur, and feathers.

---

melanin

Noun

a black pigment present in the hair, skin, and eyes of humans and animals [Greek melas black]

---

melanin  (ml-nn)

Any of various pigments that are responsible for the dark color of the skin, hair, scales, feathers, and eyes of animals and are also found in plants, fungi, and bacteria. Melanins are polymers, often bound to proteins, and in the animal kingdom are built from compounds produced by the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

melanin - insoluble pigments that account for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers feather, plumage, plume - the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds cutis, skin, tegument - a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch; "your skin is the largest organ of your body" animal pigment - pigment occurring in animals