leucism
noun
leu·cism
ˈlü-ˌsi-zəm 
: an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring and is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin
Examples of leucism in a Sentence
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This discrepancy surprised us because the genetic mutation that causes melanism occurs less frequently than the one that causes albinism/leucism.
—
Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
On social media, some commenters speculated the creature might be a young red or gray fox with leucism, a condition that causes a loss of pigmentation, resulting in white fur.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
An animal with leucism experiences a partial loss of pigmentation.
—Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
Last year, Wyoming’s Bear River State Park saw the birth of another white bison—this animal’s coloration likely comes from cattle genes mixed into its lineage rather than albinism or leucism, and its mother is also a pale white hue.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for leucism 
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Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
On social media, some commenters speculated the creature might be a young red or gray fox with leucism, a condition that causes a loss of pigmentation, resulting in white fur.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
An animal with leucism experiences a partial loss of pigmentation.
—Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
Last year, Wyoming’s Bear River State Park saw the birth of another white bison—this animal’s coloration likely comes from cattle genes mixed into its lineage rather than albinism or leucism, and its mother is also a pale white hue.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for leucism
Dictionary Entries Near leucism
Cite this Entry
“Leucism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leucism. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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