petechia

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

/ pɪˈti ki ə, -ˈtɛk i ə /

noun, plural pe·te·chi·ae [pi-tee-kee-ee, -tek-ee-ee] /pɪˈti kiˌi, -ˈtɛk iˌi/. Pathology.

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

Nearby words

petasus, petaurist, petavius, petcock, pete, petechia, petechial, petechial hemorrhage, petechiate, peteman, peter

Origin of petechia

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

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

Examples from the Web for petechiae

Sometimes the parotid and submaxillary glands were inflamed; petechiae were absent.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
In some few there were spots on the skin, but hardly ever petechiae or tumours near the ears.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
For, if perhaps you should except the Petechiae, they differ rather in degree than in kind.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
The earlier these petechiae appear, the fresher in colour, and the longer they continue out, the better (p. 5).
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton

British Dictionary definitions for petechiae

petechia

/ (pɪˈtiːkɪə) /

noun plural -chiae (-kɪˌiː)

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

Derived Formspetechial, adjective

Word Origin for petechia

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

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 petechiae

petechia

plural petechiae, "small crimson or purple spots on skin," c.1795 (from 1580s in English texts as an Italian word), Modern Latin, from Italian petecchia "specks or freckles on the face," in plural form petecchie "measles," of unknown origin. Related: Petechial.

Medicine definitions for petechiae

petechia

[ pə-tē′kē-ə ]

n. pl. pe•te•chi•ae (-kē-ī′)

A small purplish spot on a body surface, such as the skin or a mucous membrane, caused by a minute hemorrhage and often seen in typhus.

Related formspe•te′chi•al adj.