cellulite

[sel-yuh-lahyt, -leet] /ˈsɛl yəˌlaɪt, -ˌlit/

noun, (not in technical use)

lumpy fat deposits, especially in the thighs and buttocks.

Origin

1970-75; < French: formation of fatty deposits under the skin, orig., cellulitis, equivalent to cellule cell (see cellule) + -ite -itis, taken in E as -ite¹

Examples from the web for cellulite

As cellulite deteriorates your sensitive skin your skin color starts to misplace its elasticity.
Cosmetics firms are touting new types of skin creams to ward off aging and cellulite, but so far the evidence is scant.
Corrective treatments include detoxifying herbal wraps, cellulite smoothing and body contour slimming.

British Dictionary definitions for cellulite

cellulite

/ˈsɛljʊˌlaɪt/

noun

a name sometimes given to subcutaneous fat alleged to resist dieting

Word Origin

C20: from French, from cellule cell

Word Origin and History for cellulite

"lumpy, dimpled fat," 1968, from French cellulite, from cellule "a small cell" (16c., from Latin cellula "little cell," diminutive of cella; see cell) + -ite (see -ite (1)).

cellulite in Medicine

cellulite cel·lu·lite (sěl'yə-līt')
n.
A fatty deposit causing a dimpled or uneven appearance, as around the thighs.

cellulite in Culture

cellulite [(sel-yuh-leyet, sel-yuh-leet)]

A popular term for fat that is difficult to remove by dieting and that often has a dimpled appearance. There is no physiological difference between cellulite and ordinary fat.