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acne

[ ak-nee ]
/ ˈæk ni /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR acne ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pathology.

an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, characterized by comedones and pimples, especially on the face, back, and chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules resulting in scarring.

RELATED WORDS

blackheads, rosacea, whiteheads, pustules

Nearby words

acme, acme screw thread, acmeism, acmesthesia, acmite, acne, acne conglobata, acne cosmetica, acne erythematosa, acne indurata, acne keloid
Compare rosacea.

Origin of acne

1820–30; < New Latin < Late Greek aknás, a manuscript error for akmás, accusative plural of akmḗ facial eruption, probably to be identified with Greek akmḗ acme
Also called ac·ne vul·ga·ris [vuhl-gair-is, -gar-] /vʌlˈgɛər ɪs, -ˈgær-/.
Related formsac·ned, adjective
Can be confusedacme acne
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for acne

British Dictionary definitions for acne

acne

/ (ˈæknɪ) /

noun

Also called: acne vulgaris a chronic skin disease common in adolescence, involving inflammation of the sebaceous glands and characterized by pustules on the face, neck, and upper trunkSee also rosacea

Word Origin for acne

C19: New Latin, from a misreading of Greek akmē eruption on the face. See acme
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for acne

acne

n.

1813, from Modern Latin, from aknas, a 6c. Latin clerical misreading of Greek akmas, accusative plural of akme "point" (see acme). The "pointed" pimples are the source of the medical use.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for acne

acne

[ ăk′nē ]

n.

An inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin that is marked by the eruption of pimples or pustules, especially on the face.
Related formsac′ned adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for acne

acne

[ ăk′nē ]

An inflammatory disease of the skin in which the sebaceous glands become clogged and infected, often causing the formation of pimples, especially on the face. It is most common during adolescence, but also occurs in infants and adults.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.