petechia

noun pe·te·chia \pə-ˈtē-kē-ə\

plural pe·te·chi·ae\-kē-ˌī\

Definition of PETECHIA

: a minute reddish or purplish spot containing blood that appears in skin or mucous membrane as a result of localized hemorrhage

— pe·te·chi·al \-kē-əl\ adjective

New Latin, from Italian petecchia, ultimately from Latin impetigo

First Known Use: circa 1784

Medical Dictionary

noun pe·te·chia \pə-ˈtē-kē-ə\

plural pe·te·chi·ae \-kē-ˌī\

: a minute reddish or purplish spot containing blood that appears in skin or mucous membrane as a result of localized hemorrhage

Next Word in the Dictionary: petechial feverPrevious Word in the Dictionary: peteca All Words Near: petechia

What made you want to look up petechia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears