discolouration
Unwanted pigment alteration
Discolouration is the British spelling of discoloration—a change in colour that makes something look stained, faded, or otherwise altered from its original appearance.
Skin discolouration may indicate bruising or disease.
Teeth develop discolouration from coffee or tobacco.
The word covers any unwanted colour change: The water damage left discolouration on the ceiling.
Becoming pale gold-brown
- patinaSurface film from aging
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
fading · degradation · deterioration · foxing · browning · rusting · corrosion · wear
Discolored tissue injury
- birthmarkCongenital skin discoloration
- melasmaPatchy facial skin darkening
- vitiligoMelanocyte-loss skin condition
- hyperpigmentationLocalized skin darkening condition
lividity · jaundice · cyanosis · erythema · rash · sunspot · freckle · purpura
Accidental liquid release
- splotchIrregular colored mark
- smudgeUnclear dirty mark
- blotchIrregular colored mark
- markVisible impression or sign
spot · residue · ring · watermark · ink · wine · blood · rust
Chemical color removal
- lighteningMaking lighter in weight/shade
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
- pallorUnhealthy facial whiteness
- blanchingBriefly boiling then cooling
decolorization · streaking · sun-bleached · photodegradation · dimming · dulling · whitening · leaching
yellowing
Becoming pale gold-brown
- patinaSurface film from aging
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
tarnishing · fading · degradation · deterioration · foxing · browning · rusting · corrosion · wear · decay
bruise
Discolored tissue injury
- birthmarkCongenital skin discoloration
- melasmaPatchy facial skin darkening
- vitiligoMelanocyte-loss skin condition
hyperpigmentation · lividity · jaundice · cyanosis · erythema · rash · sunspot · freckle · purpura · pallor
spill
Accidental liquid release
mark · spot · residue · ring · watermark · ink · wine · blood · rust · oil
bleaching
Chemical color removal
- lighteningMaking lighter in weight/shade
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
- pallorUnhealthy facial whiteness
blanching · decolorization · streaking · sun-bleached · photodegradation · dimming · dulling · whitening · leaching · pale
discolourationunblemished
Free from any defect
spotlessness · flawlessness · clarity · freshness · purity