What does leucistic mean?
Leucistic describes an organism or a part of an organism whose coloration results from leucism, a condition involving reduced or absent pigment. Depending on the organism and the extent of the condition, the result may be uniformly white or pale, or it may appear in distinct patches, while normally coloured areas remain elsewhere. The term is used particularly for animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as in botanical and general biological contexts. Leucistic coloration should not automatically be equated with albinism: a leucistic animal may retain pigment in its eyes or in certain patches of its body, whereas an albino generally lacks pigment throughout. The word is especially useful when precision matters, because it distinguishes partial or reduced pigmentation from the more general condition of being white or pale.
adjectiveLeucistic means having or characterized by leucism, a condition in which pigmentation is reduced or absent, producing white or pale coloration. It is especially used of animals, plants, and coloration.
- Affected by or characterized by leucism, especially having white or pale coloration caused by reduced or absent pigmentation.
"The rare leucistic songbird stood out among the dark-feathered members of the flock."
"The leucistic deer was difficult to distinguish from the snow behind it."
"Researchers examined the leucistic plumage and dark eyes of the unusually coloured bird."
Leucistic animals are not necessarily albinos: they can retain coloured eyes or patches of pigment while their fur, feathers, or scales appear white.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leucistic come from?
Leucistic derives from leucism, which in turn comes from Greek leukos, meaning “white.” Related English words with the leuk- or leuc- form, including leukocyte and leukemia, likewise refer to white or pale substances or conditions.
Related word forms
How leucistic is actually used
Leucistic is a specialized zoological and botanical term, also used more broadly for pale coloration caused by reduced pigmentation. It is distinct from albino, which generally implies a complete absence of pigment.
Easily confused with leucistic
A leucistic animal may have reduced or patchy pigmentation, whereas an albino normally lacks pigment throughout its body, including the eyes.
Leucistic coloration results from reduced pigment, while melanistic coloration results from an excess of dark pigment.