xanthous

English

WOTD – 18 February 2009

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós, yellow).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈzæn.θəs/
  • (file)

Adjective

xanthous (not comparable)

  1. Yellow-brown; yolk-colored.
    • 1983, Dorothea Liebermann-Meffert, et al., The Greater Omentum, page 131
      Absorbent fatty xanthous histiocytes and xanthous granulations are observed in the marginal area of necrosis of the fatty tissue...
  2. (archaic, ethnology) Pertaining to people with yellowish, red, auburn, or brown hair.
    • 1841, James Cowles Prichard et al., Researches Into the Physical History of Mankind, page 227
      The xanthous variety springs up out of every black-haired race.
    • 1842, James Laurie, System of Universal Geography: Founded on the Works of Malte-Brun and Balbi (London: Stevenson & Co.; page 106)
      [] the xanthous, or fair class, comprises those who have brown, auburn, yellow, flaxen, or red hair; []

Antonyms

Translations

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