vernix caseosa

American  

[vur-niks key-see-oh-suh] / ˈvɜr nɪks ˌkeɪ siˈoʊ sə /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. the fatty matter, consisting chiefly of dead epidermal cells and sebaceous secretions, covering the skin of a fetus and newborn.

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Etymology

Origin of vernix caseosa

< New Latin: cheeselike varnish

Example Sentences

To be more scientific and appropriate, I clarified that I meant the vernix caseosa, which is Latin for “cheeselike varnish”.

From The Guardian

This now has85 begun to disappear and the skin becomes brighter and is covered with a white, cheesy material called the vernix caseosa.

From Project Gutenberg