erythrism

noun

er·​y·​thrism ˈer-ə-ˌthri-zəm How to pronounce erythrism (audio)
: a condition marked by exceptional prevalence of red pigmentation (as in hair or feathers)
erythristic adjective
or less commonly erythrismal

Examples of erythrism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tickled pink Solomon David, an aquatic ecologist at Louisiana’s Nicholls State University, suspects the mutation is a condition called erythrism, which causes an animal’s skin pigmentation to be reddish, or in some cases, pink. National Geographic, 11 Feb. 2020 Pink grasshoppers are the result of a genetic mutation called erythrism, which affects a recessive gene similar to the one that causes albinism. Amanda O'Donnell and Joshua Bote, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2020 One variant called erythrism can give skin a reddish or pinkish hue, yielding strawberry-blonde leopards and fuschia grasshoppers. Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2020 In humans, erythrism may be responsible, at least in part, for red hair and freckles, according to the Huffington Post. Fox News, 20 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erythrism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of erythrism was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near erythrism

Cite this Entry

“Erythrism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erythrism. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

erythrism

noun
er·​y·​thrism ˈer-ə-ˌthriz-əm How to pronounce erythrism (audio)
: a condition marked by exceptional prevalence of red pigmentation (as in skin or hair)
erythristic adjective
also erythrismal
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