WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Al*bi"no
Part of Speech : n.; pl. Albinos.
Etymology : [Sp. or Pg. albino, orig. whitish, fr. albo white, L. albus.]
Definition : Defn: A person, whether negro, Indian, or white, in whom by some defect of organization the substance which gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes is deficient or in a morbid state. An albino has a skin of a milky hue, with hair of the same color, and eyes with deep red pupil and pink or blue iris. The term is also used of the lower animals, as white mice, elephants, etc.; and of plants in a whitish condition from the absence of chlorophyll. Amer. Cyc.

Note: The term was originally applied by the Portuguese to negroes met with on the coast of Africa, who were mottled with white spots.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913