vernix caseosa

[ vur-niks key-see-oh-suh ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vernix caseosa¹

< 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