xeroderma

[ zeer-uh-dur-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disease in which the skin becomes dry, hard, and scaly.

xeroderma

/ ˌzɪərəʊˈdɜːmə; ˌzɪərəʊdəˈmætɪk; ˌzɪərəʊˈdɜːmɪə /

noun

1. any abnormal dryness of the skin as the result of diminished secretions from the sweat or sebaceous glands
2. another name for ichthyosis

Derived Forms

• xerodermatic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of xeroderma¹

First recorded in 1840–50; xero- + -derma

Example Sentences

Such a skin affection, known as icthyosis, xerosis or xeroderma, is usually due to heredity.

From Project Gutenberg