port-wine stain

[pawrt-wahyn, pohrt-]

noun

1. a large birthmark of purplish color, usually on the face or neck.

port wine stain

noun

1. a type of haemangioma, seen as a purplish birthmark, often large and on the face or neck

Word History and Origins

Origin of port-wine stain¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Mutations in the skin, for example, occasionally resulted in unusual pigment patterns such as port-wine stain birthmarks.

From Science Magazine

With more work, they believe the films could be used to mask port-wine stain birthmarks, to protect the face from UV rays, or to treat skin disorders such as eczema.

From The Guardian

She was concerned about a purple splotch on my cheek, thinking it was a port-wine stain.

From Literature

Horace was by inclination a private man, nearing fifty now, with a sprawling port-wine stain on the left side of his forehead that he often fingered unconsciously.

From Literature

Each featured a different actor—one who looked healthy, one who had a port-wine stain birthmark, and one who had flulike symptoms.

From Science Magazine