Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person with congenital albinism: An individual born with a genetic condition characterized by a lack of melanin pigment. This typically results in very pale skin, white or light-colored hair, and often pink or light blue eyes due to the visibility of blood vessels in the iris.
   • An animal or plant with albinism: Any organism exhibiting the traits of albinism, which is the congenital absence of normal pigmentation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The albino had very sensitive eyes and needed to wear sunglasses outdoors.
  • We saw a rare albino squirrel in the park.
  • The lack of pigment made the albino plant more susceptible to sun damage.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used as a countable noun. It is considered more respectful in modern contexts to use "person with albinism" rather than defining the individual solely by the condition (people-first language).
  • The conference focused on the rights and health of people with albinism.

Variants and Related Words

• Albinism (noun): The medical or biological term for the condition itself.
  • Albinism affects the production of melanin.
• Albinistic (adjective): Having the characteristics of albinism.
  • The albinistic trait is recessive.

Synonyms

• Person with albinism: The preferred descriptive term.
• Leucistic: (Biological term) An animal with partial loss of pigmentation, often confused with but distinct from true albinism.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning relates specifically to the congenital (present from birth) absence of pigment. It is not used for temporary paleness or bleaching.
• In some cultural contexts, the word can carry significant social stigma. Its use requires sensitivity, and the preferred terminology is often descriptive phrases like "a person who has albinism."

Noun

1. a person with congenital albinism: white hair and milky skin; eyes are usually pink