Etymology

melanin

M3E1L1A1N1I1N1

Today it means: Any of a group of naturally occurring dark pigments, especially the pigment found in skin, hair, fur, and feathers. Full definition →

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The story

From New Latin, from Ancient Greek stem of μέλας (mélas, “black”) + -in; by surface analysis, melan- + -in.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.