petechia

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

/ pɪˈti ki ə, -ˈtɛk i ə /

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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.

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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 impetīgōimpetigo + -ula-ule

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use petechia in a sentence

He never saw any miliary eruptions, and only sometimes petechiae, or small spots, or marbling as in measles.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
In some of the worst cases livid petechiae, large livid blotches, and dark brown spots occurred over the trunk and limbs.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
The miliary eruptions were critical to the few that had them; the flat livid petechiae appeared at all times of the disorder.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
Sometimes the parotid and submaxillary glands were inflamed; petechiae were absent.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton

Petechiae almost black came out, having an outer circle with an inner dark speck; sometimes there were the larger vibices.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton

British Dictionary definitions for petechia

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 forms of petechia

petechial, 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