A rare albino alligator.
The definition of an albino is a living thing that has no color and a white or pale appearance.
A white alligator is an example of an albino.
- a person whose skin, hair, and eyes lack normal coloration because of genetic factors: albinos have a white skin, whitish hair, and pink eyes
- any animal or plant abnormally lacking in color
Origin of albinoPort, literally , whitish from albo from Classical Latin albus, white: see elf
designating or of such a person, animal, or plant: an albino monkey
An individual with albinism.
Origin of albinoUltimately ( perhaps via Portuguese) from Spanish from albo white from Latin albus ; see albho- in Indo-European roots.
- The term is considered offensive by some (when used as a term for human beings); "albinistic" is a possible alternative.
- The term is not comparative: one either has albinism (a recessive genetic trait) or does not. While the effects of albinism may be more marked in some individuals, this does not make those individuals "more albino" than others. To the extent that it could be comparable, perhaps in metaphoric usage, the comparatives would be more/most/less/least albino (not *albinoer, *albinest, etc).
(plural albinos or albinoes)
- The term is considered offensive by some when used to designate a human being; the phrase "person with albinism" is a neutral alternative.