petechia

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

noun

, Pathology.

, plural pe·te·chi·ae [pi-, tee, -kee-ee, -, tek, -ee-ee].

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

petechia

/ pɪˈtiːkɪə /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• peˈtechial, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of petechia¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of petechia¹

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

Example Sentences

But Strack said detectives commonly failed to document physical signs that the crime occurred, such as petechiae or drooping eyelids, which might support the felony charge.

From Washington Post

The specks, he learned, were called petechiae, from a 17th-century Italian word for freckles.

From New York Times

In the autopsy report, Denton identified light blanching on the tip of Jayden's nose and tiny dots on his eyelids, cheeks and elsewhere — burst blood vessels called petechiae.

From Salon

But in August 2020, before her freshman year, Lam noticed spots popping up on her skin, called petechiae.

From Los Angeles Times

The 11-year-old had ligature marks around his neck and petechiae in his eyes, the charges say.

From Seattle Times