nevus

[nee-vuhs]

noun

plural

nevi 

1. any congenital anomaly of the skin, including moles and various types of birthmarks.

nevus

/ ˈniːvəs /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of naevus

Other Word Forms

• nevoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nevus¹

1685–95; spelling variant of Latin naevus mole

Example Sentences

Mr Rhodes was born with a large facial birthmark as a result of congenital melanocytic nevus and was left with scarring following multiple surgeries to remove it as a child.

Read more on BBC

“Moles are not superficial — the nevus cells are down in the dermis,” said Robert T. Brodell, a tenured professor and chair of the dermatology department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Read more on Washington Post

Ms Jones, 57, only has the use of one hand following a brain haemorrhage and her 29-year-old son has Asperger's and a rare skin condition called epidermal nevus.

Read more on BBC

Typically present at birth or soon after, the nevus — which can be anywhere on the body — grows at a similar rate as the child.

Read more on Fox News

How to identify them: These small, round skin growths, which occur when pigment cells grow in clusters, are also called “nevi,” and almost all adults have at least a few.

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• blot 
• blotch 
• bruise 
• discoloration 
• freckle 
• imperfection 
• pimple 
• scar 
• smudge 
• snag 
• stain 
• stigma 
• wart