Albinos

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Albino \Al*bi"no\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Albinos}. [Sp. or Pg.
     albino, orig. whitish, fr. albo white, L. albus.]
     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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The term was originally applied by the Portuguese to
           negroes met with on the coast of Africa, who were
           mottled with white spots.
           [1913 Webster]