petechia

[ pi-tee-kee-uh, -tek-ee-uh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural pe·te·chi·ae [pi-, tee, -kee-ee, -, tek, -ee-ee].

1. a minute, round, nonraised hemorrhage in the skin or in a mucous or serous membrane.

petechia

/ pɪˈtiːkɪə /

noun

1. a minute discoloured spot on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane, caused by an underlying ruptured blood vessel

Derived Forms

• peˈtechial, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of petechia¹

1575–85; < New Latin < Italian petecchia (in plural) rash, spots on skin < Vulgar Latin *( im ) petīcula, equivalent to Latin impetīc-, stem of impetīx, variant of impetīgō impetigo + -ula -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of petechia¹

C18: via New Latin from Italian petecchia freckle, of obscure origin