albino
albino — noun
- albinosingular
- albinosplural
1. an individual whose body makes little or no melanin from birth, so the skin and
an individual whose body makes little or no melanin from birth, so the skin and hair are white and the eyes look pink
The white rabbit at the shelter was a true albino with pink eyes.
standalone noun — 'a true albino'
Esme spotted an albino squirrel with pure white fur in the city park garden.
noun as modifier — 'albino squirrel'
Pedro wrote a report for science class about how albinos struggle with bright sunlight.
A sanctuary near Nairobi cares for abandoned albino animals rescued from the wild.
Many people do not realise that calling someone an albino can be hurtful to them.
- person with albinism
the respectful, preferred term for a human being; emphasises the person first
- leucistic animal
an animal with partial pigment loss, sometimes mistaken for a true albino
- pigmented
having normal colouring
- melanistic
having an excess of dark pigment, the opposite of albinism
用法筆記
When referring to a person, 'albino' can be considered offensive because it defines the individual entirely by their medical condition. The preferred respectful terms are 'a person with albinism' or 'someone who has albinism.' For animals and plants, 'albino' remains a standard biological term and is not offensive.
常見錯誤
albino — adjective
- albinopositive
- more albinocomparative
- most albinosuperlative
1. having a genetic condition that causes a complete or nearly complete lack of col
having a genetic condition that causes a complete or nearly complete lack of colour in the skin, hair, and eyes, so that these appear white or very pale
An albino snake with white scales lay under the heat lamp in the reptile house.
adjective + animal noun — 'albino snake'
The documentary followed an albino teenager in Tanzania who faces daily challenges.
adjective + person noun — note the usage consideration
Albino plants cannot make chlorophyll, so they must get their food from other sources.
Lucía carefully held the small albino frog in her hands during biology class.
A charity in West Africa works to protect albino children who face danger there.
- white
a simpler, broader colour term, but does not indicate the genetic condition
- pigment-free
a descriptive term used in scientific contexts
- pigmented
having normal colour in skin, hair, or fur
用法筆記
When describing a person, 'albino' as an adjective can be considered disrespectful. It is better to use 'a person with albinism' or 'a child with albinism' — a construction that places the person before the condition. For animals and plants, 'albino' as an adjective is standard and neutral.