melˈanocyte /-sīt, also -lanˈ/ noun

An epidermal cell that can produce melanin

melˈanoid adjective

Resembling melanin or melanosis

melanōˈma noun (pl melanōˈmata or melanōˈmas)

1. Any skin tumour consisting of melanin-pigmented cells
2. (also malignant melanoma) a malignant tumour consisting of melanin-pigmented cells, which usually develops from a mole and metastasizes rapidly

melˈanophore /-för/ noun

A chromatophore containing melanin

melanōˈsis noun

1. A condition of skin or body characterized by abnormally large deposits of melanin
2. A discoloration caused by this

melanotˈic or melˈanous adjective

Dark-complexioned

melanotropˈin noun

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which stimulates the production of melanin by melanocytes

melanūˈria noun

The presence of a dark pigment in the urine

melanūˈric adjective

melaphyre /melˈə-fīr/ noun (formed on analogy with porphyry)

1. Orig a dark porphyritic rock
2. Applied very loosely to an altered basalt