a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.
2.
Medicine/Medical.
a mental or physical mark that is characteristic of a defect or disease:
the stigmata of leprosy.
a place or point on the skin that bleeds during certain mental states, as in hysteria.
3.
Zoology.
a small mark, spot, or pore on an animal or organ.
the eyespot of a protozoan.
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, especially nuns, tertiaries, and monastics.
6.
Archaic. a mark made by a branding iron on the skin of a criminal or slave.
1590s, "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from Latin stigma (plural stigmata), from Greek stigma (genitive 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.)). Figurative meaning "a mark of disgrace" is from 1610s. Stigmas "marks resembling the wounds on the body of Christ, appearing supernaturally on the bodies of the devout" is from 1630s; earlier stigmate (late 14c.), from Latin stigmata.
stigma stig·ma (stĭg'mə) n.pl.stig·mas or stig·ma·ta (stĭg-mä'tə, -māt'ə, stĭg'mə-)
Visible evidence of a disease.
A spot or blemish on the skin.
A bleeding spot on the skin considered as a manifestation of conversion disorder.
The orange pigmented eyespot of certain chlorophyll-bearing protozoa, such as Euglena viridis. It serves as a light filter by absorbing certain wavelengths.