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Stigmas

 - 5 dictionary results

stig⋅ma

  [stig-muh]
Use Stigmas in a Sentence
–noun, plural stig⋅ma⋅ta  [stig-muh-tuh, stig-mah-tuh, -mat-uh] , stig⋅mas.
1. a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.
2. Medicine/Medical.
a. a mental or physical mark that is characteristic of a defect or disease: the stigmata of leprosy.
b. a place or point on the skin that bleeds during certain mental states, as in hysteria.
3. Zoology.
a. a small mark, spot, or pore on an animal or organ.
b. the eyespot of a protozoan.
c. an entrance into the respiratory system of insects.
4. Botany. the part of a pistil that receives the pollen.
5. stigmata, marks resembling the wounds of the crucified body of Christ, said to be supernaturally impressed on the bodies of certain persons, esp. nuns, tertiaries, and monastics.
6. Archaic. a mark made by a branding iron on the skin of a criminal or slave.
Origin:
1580–90; < L < Gk stígma tattoo mark, equiv. to stig- (s. of stízein to tattoo) + -ma n. suffix denoting result of action; see stick 2

Synonyms:
1. blot, blemish, tarnish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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stig·ma   (stĭg'mə)   
n.   pl. stig·ma·ta (stĭg-mä'tə, -māt'ə, stĭg'mə-) or stig·mas

  1. A mark or token of infamy, disgrace, or reproach: "Party affiliation has never been more casual . . . The stigmata of decay are everywhere" (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.) See Synonyms at stain.

  2. A small mark; a scar or birthmark.

  3. Medicine A mark or characteristic indicative of a history of a disease or abnormality.

  4. Psychology A mark or spot on the skin that bleeds as a symptom of hysteria.

  5. stigmata Bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain corresponding in location to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus, usually occurring during states of religious ecstasy or hysteria.

  6. Biology A small mark, spot, or pore, such as the respiratory spiracle of an insect or an eyespot in certain algae.

  7. Botany The receptive apex of the pistil of a flower, on which pollen is deposited at pollination.

  8. Archaic A mark burned into the skin of a criminal or slave; a brand.


[Middle English stigme, brand, from Latin stigma, stigmat-, tattoo indicating slave or criminal status, from Greek, tattoo mark, from stizein, stig-, to prick; see steig- in Indo-European roots.]
stig'mal adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

stigma 
1596, "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from L. stigma (pl. stigmata), from Gk. stigma (gen. stigmatos) "mark, puncture," especially one made by a pointed instrument, from root of stizein "to mark, tattoo," from PIE *st(e)ig- (see stick (v.)). Fig. meaning "a mark of disgrace" is from 1619, as is stigmatize in this sense. Stigmas "marks resembling the wounds on the body of Christ, appearing supernaturally on the bodies of the devout" is from 1632; earlier stigmate (1387), from L. stigmata.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: stig·ma
Pronunciation: 'stig-m&
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural stig·ma·ta /stig-'mät-&,'stig-m&t-&/ or stigmas
1 : an identifying mark or characteristic; specifically : a specific diagnostic sign of a disease stigmata of syphilis>
2 : PETECHIA
3 : a small spot, scar, or opening on aplant or animal
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

stigma stig·ma (stĭg'mə)
n. pl. stig·mas or stig·ma·ta (stĭg-mä'tə, -māt'ə, stĭg'mə-)

  1. Visible evidence of a disease.

  2. A spot or blemish on the skin.

  3. A bleeding spot on the skin considered as a manifestation of conversion disorder.

  4. The orange pigmented eyespot of certain chlorophyll-bearing protozoa, such as Euglena viridis. It serves as a light filter by absorbing certain wavelengths.

  5. A mark of shame or discredit.

  6. Follicular stigma.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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