1. to become dark or black, especially through the deposition of melanin
Usage: biological
2. to cause something to become dark or black through melanin production
Usage: biological

Examples

• The insect’s cuticle began to melanize after exposure to the pathogen.
• Certain fungi can melanize their cell walls as a defense mechanism.
• The wound site started to melanize as part of the immune response.
• Researchers observed how the cells melanize when stressed.
• The tissue will melanize over time due to increased melanin production.
• UV radiation can cause skin cells to melanize as protection.