a. Ethnology. [f. Gr. ξανθός yellow + -OUS.] Applied to those races, or that type, of mankind characterized by yellow or yellowish hair and light complexion; fair, blond. Also said of the hair, complexion, etc. Opp. to MELANIC 1, MELANOUS.
1829. T. Price, Ess. Physiogn. & Physiol. Inhab. Brit., 3. It is true that the Greek and Roman writers do describe the various barbarous tribes of Europe,… representing some to be of the fair, or, as it has been styled, Xanthous complexion; others of the dark, or Melanic.
1834. Nat. Philos., Phys. Geog., 64/1 (U.K.S.). Men of the xanthous variety of colour are known to spring up among the negroes in Africa.
1876. W. F. Skene, Celtic Scot., I. I. ii. 126. The Caledonii … were larger in body,… and less xanthous.
1896. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 35. Mania seems to occur rather more often in the xanthous type, with chestnut, red or fair hair.
