acne

[ak-nee] /ˈæk ni/

noun, Pathology

an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, characterized by comedones and pimples, especially on the face, back, and chest, and, in severe cases, by cysts and nodules resulting in scarring.

Also called acne vulgaris

[vuhl-gair-is, -gar-] /vʌlˈgɛər ɪs, -ˈgær-/ (Show IPA).

Compare rosacea.

Origin

1820-30; < Neo-Latin < Late Greek aknás, a manuscript error for akmás, accusative plural of akmḗ facial eruption, probably to be identified with Greek akmḗ acme

Related forms

acned, adjective

Can be confused

acme, acne.

Examples from the web for acne

Today tetracycline is used to treat ailments ranging from acne flare-ups to urinary-tract infections.
Do not let the exfoliating cleanser dry if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
He is thin and nervous, with light sprays of acne on his cheeks and a fuzz of dark-blond hair.
Her cheeks, slightly scarred by acne, have a puffy droop that suggests childish sullenness or a case of the mumps.
There's a new singer on now, a cosmic guy with severe acne.
All he got was a really, really bad case of acne for a few weeks.
Her skin was thick and pitted with old acne scars and her eyes and lips were swollen, red as if from weeping or a bad cold.
He returned to the campaign with his formerly handsome face horribly ravaged by severe acne and scar tissue.
There's no evidence that diet has anything to do with acne, the dermatologist shouted.
Note that the right rim shows as many boulders on it as a bad case of acne on a face.

British Dictionary definitions for acne

acne

/ˈæknɪ/

noun

Also called acne vulgaris. a chronic skin disease common in adolescence, involving inflammation of the sebaceous glands and characterized by pustules on the face, neck, and upper trunk See also rosacea

Word Origin

C19: New Latin, from a misreading of Greek akmē eruption on the face. See acme

Word Origin and History for acne

1813, from Modern Latin, from aknas, a 6c. Latin clerical misreading of Greek akmas, accusative plural of akme "point" (see acme). The "pointed" pimples are the source of the medical use.

acne in Medicine

acne ac·ne (āk'nē)
n.
An inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin that is marked by the eruption of pimples or pustules, especially on the face.

ac'ned adj.

acne in Science

acne

(āk'nē)
An inflammatory disease of the skin in which the sebaceous glands become clogged and infected, often causing the formation of pimples, especially on the face. It is most common during adolescence, but also occurs in infants and adults.