leucism
/ˈluːkɪzəm/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
λευκός — white, light, clear
Overview
Meaning Now
- A condition in animals characterized by reduced pigmentation, caused by a genetic mutation that inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin.
Literal older meaning
condition of being white
Language path
Ancient Greek → New Latin → English
Earliest form
leucisme
Earliest period
late 19th century
Journey
The term was popularized in the late 1800s to describe cases of white plumage or fur that did not fit the clinical definition of albinism, as the eyes of leucistic animals typically retain their normal coloration.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
leukos
“white”
Adjective base for the concept of whiteness.
- 19th century French
leucisme
“abnormal whiteness in animals”
Coined to describe partial albinism.
- Late 19th century English
leucism
“A condition of reduced pigmentation”
Adopted into scientific English to distinguish it from albinism.
Connections
Word parts
leuc-
root
white
-ism
suffix
condition or state
Related across languages
Ancient Greek
leukos
white
Latin
leuciscus
a type of dace (fish named for its white color)
Explore next
Related to leucism
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.