‖ Xanthochroi, n. pl. Anthropology.
(zænˈθɒkrəʊaɪ, -ˈθəʊkrɔɪ)
[mod.L. (Huxley), app. meant as a transliteration of an assumed Gr. *ξάνθωχροι, f. ξανθός yellow + ὠχρός pale (the regular L. form of which would be *xanthōchrī); by later writers and in Dicts. taken as xanthŏchroī (sing. -chrous), ad. Gr. ξανθόχροος, f. ξανθός yellow + χρόα skin: cf. Melanochroi.]
In Huxley's classification of the varieties of mankind: A subdivision of the Leiotrichi or smooth-haired class, having yellow or light-coloured hair and pale complexion.
| 1866 [see Xanthomelanoi]. 1875 Tylor in Encycl. Brit. II. 113/2 The Xanthochroi, or fair whites..are the prevalent inhabitants of Northern Europe. |
Hence
xanthochroic (
-ˈkrəʊɪk),
xanthochroid (
-ˈəʊkrɔɪd),
xanthochrooid (
-ˈɒkrəʊɔɪd),
xanthochroous (
-ˈɒkrəʊəs),
xanthochrous (
-ˈəʊkrəs)
adjs., of, pertaining to, or having the characters of the
Xanthochroi. So
‖ xanthochroia (
-ˈkrɔɪə) [
mod.L.,
f. Gr. χροιά
= χρόα skin], yellow discoloration of the skin from change in the pigment;
xanthochroism (
-ˈɒkrəʊɪz(ə)m),
Ornith., abnormal replacement of another colour by yellow in the plumage of certain birds.
| 1867 E. Wilson Diseases of Skin (ed. 6) 695 Xanthopathia. Syn. Xanthoderma; *xanthochroia. |
| 1870 Huxley in Contemp. Rev. July 515 The *Xanthochroic area. 1878 Bartley tr. Topinard's Anthrop. ii. i. 202 The xanthochroic group: pale skin, blue eyes, and abundant fair hair. |
| 1865 Lubbock Preh. Times xii. (1869) 378 [The] *Xanthochroid [group]. |
| 1893 Newton Dict. Birds 421 There seems to be a certain correlation of colours in most cases of Heterochrosis:..green feathers exhibit *xanthochroism. |
| 1909 Cent. Dict. Supp., *Xanthochroöid, same as Xanthochroic. |
| 1891 Cent. Dict., *Xanthochroöus. 1865 *Xanthochrous [see melanochrous]. 1901 Q. Rev. July 230 Great stature and a xanthochrous complexion were..the characteristics of the Celt or German. |