melanize

1 of 2

verb

mel·​a·​nize ˈme-lə-ˌnīz 

melanized; melanizing

transitive verb

1

: to convert into or infiltrate with melanin

2

: to make dark or black

melanization

ˌme-lə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

melanization

2 of 2

noun

mel·​a·​ni·​za·​tion ˌmelənə̇ˈzāshən 

-ˌnīˈz-

plural -s

: the quality or state of being or the process of becoming melanized

Word History

Etymology

Verb

melan(in) + -ize

First Known Use

Verb

1967, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for melanize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Medical Definition

melanize

transitive verb

mel·​a·​nize

variants or chiefly British melanise

ˈmel-ə-ˌnīz 

melanized or chiefly British melanised; melanizing or chiefly British melanising

: to convert into or infiltrate with melanin

melanized cell granules

melanization noun

or chiefly British melanisation

ˌmel-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən