impetigo

[ im-pi-tahy-goh ]

/ ˌɪm pɪˈtaɪ goʊ /

noun Pathology.

a contagious skin disease, especially of children, usually caused by streptococcal bacteria, marked by a superficial pustular eruption, particularly on the face.

Nearby words

impertinent, imperturbable, imperturbation, impervious, impetiginous, impetigo, impetigo herpetiformis, impetigo neonatorum, impetigo vulgaris, impetrate, impetuosity

Origin of impetigo

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin impetīgō, equivalent to impet(ere) to make for, attack (see impetus) + -īgō, as in vertīgō vertigo

Related forms

im·pe·tig·i·nous

[im-pi-tij-uh-nuh s] /ˌɪm pɪˈtɪdʒ ə nəs/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impetigo

Impetigo, im-pe-tī′go, n. a skin disease characterised by thickly-set clusters of pustules.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various
Sulphur has been used with benefit in Eczema, Impetigo, and Lepra.
The Action of Medicines in the System|Frederick William Headland
Treated 10 cases of impetigo, three of toothache, two of ringworm.
Health Work in the Public Schools|Leonard P. Ayres and May Ayres
This variety was formerly thought to be a distinct disease, and was described under the name of impetigo simplex.
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon

How does impetigo contagiosa differ from these several diseases?
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon

British Dictionary definitions for impetigo

impetigo

/ (ˌɪmpɪˈtaɪɡəʊ) /

noun

a contagious bacterial skin disease characterized by the formation of pustules that develop into yellowish crusty sores

Derived Forms

impetiginous (ˌɪmpɪˈtɪdʒɪnəs), adjective

Word Origin for impetigo

C16: from Latin: scabby eruption, from impetere to assail; see impetus; for form, compare vertigo

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

Medicine definitions for impetigo

impetigo

[ ĭm′pĭ-tī′gō ]

n. pl. im•pe•ti•gos

A contagious skin infection caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria and characterized by the eruption of superficial pustules that rupture and form thick yellow crusts, usually on the face; it is most commonly seen in children.impetigo contagiosa impetigo vulgaris

Science definitions for impetigo

impetigo

[ ĭm′pĭ-tī′gō ]

A contagious skin infection caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria and seen most commonly in children. Impetigo is characterized by superficial pustules that rupture and form thick yellow crusts, usually on the face.