‖ Melanochroi, n. pl. Anthropology.
(mɛləˈnɒkrəʊaɪ)
[mod.L.; formed by Huxley, who seems to have meant it as a transliteration of an assumed Gr. µελάνωχροι, f. µελαν-, µέλας black + ὠχρός pale. (On this view the correct mod.L. form would have been *melanōchrī; the irregularity occurs also in the other terms of Huxley's classification, Xanthomelanoi and Melanoi.) By subsequent writers, and in Dicts., the word has been taken as mod.L. melanŏchroī (sing. -ous), ad. Gr. µελανόχροος (= µελάγχροος), f. µελανο- (= µελαν-, µέλας) + χρόα skin.]
In Huxley's classification of the varieties of mankind: A subdivision of the Leiotrichi or smooth-haired class, having dark hair and pale complexion.
| 1866 Huxley Preh. Rem. Caithn. 132 The Leiotrichi may be best subdivided, according to their complexion, into Xanthochroi, Melanochroi, Xanthomelanoi, and Melanoi. 1875 Tylor in Encycl. Brit. II. 113/2 The Melanochroi or dark whites. 1878 Ramsay Phys. Geog. xxxiv. 580 Dark-complexioned, black-haired and black-eyed Melanochroi. |
Hence melanoˈchroic, melanochroid, melanochrous adjs., pertaining to or resembling the Melanochroi.
| 1865 Huxley Crit. & Addr. vii. (1873) 157 Among Europeans, the melanochrous people are less obnoxious to its [yellow fever's] ravages than the xanthochrous. 1871 Ibid. viii. 180 The melanochroic or dark stock of Europe. 1878 Bartley tr. Topinard's Anthrop. ii. i. 202 The melanochroid group: pale-complexioned, dark eyes, hair long and black. Example: Iberians [etc.]. 1899 W. Crooke in Jrnl. Anthropol. Inst. XXVIII. 228 A fusion of Melanochroid Caucasic and Austral-negro blood. |