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melanin
CIDE DICTIONARY
melanin, n. [Gr. me`las, me`lanos, black.].
A black pigment found in the pigment-bearing cells of the skin (particularly in the skin of the negro), in the epithelial cells of the external layer of the retina (then called fuscin ), in the outer layer of the choroid, and elsewhere. It is supposed to be derived from the decomposition of hemoglobin. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
melanin, n. a dark-brown to black pigment occurring in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye, that is responsible for tanning of the skin when exposed to sunlight.
Etymology
Gk melas melanos black + -IN
For further exploring for "melanin" in Webster Dictionary Online
