stigma

[stig-muh] /ˈstɪg mə/

noun, plural stigmata

[stig-muh-tuh, stig-mah-tuh, -mat-uh] /ˈstɪg mə tə, stɪgˈmɑ tə, -ˈmæt ə/ (Show IPA), stigmas.

a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation.

Medicine/Medical.

a mental or physical mark that is characteristic of a defect or disease:
the stigmata of leprosy.
a place or point on the skin that bleeds during certain mental states, as in hysteria.

Zoology.

a small mark, spot, or pore on an animal or organ.
the eyespot of a protozoan.
an entrance into the respiratory system of insects.

Botany. the part of a pistil that receives the pollen.

stigmata, marks resembling the wounds of the crucified body of Christ, said to be supernaturally impressed on the bodies of certain persons, especially nuns, tertiaries, and monastics.

Archaic. a mark made by a branding iron on the skin of a criminal or slave.

Origin

1580-90; < Latin < Greek stígma tattoo mark, equivalent to stig- (stem of stízein to tattoo) + -ma noun suffix denoting result of action; see stick²

Synonyms

1. blot, blemish, tarnish.

Examples from the web for stigma

For a long time past, the chief mischief of the legal penalties is that they strengthen the social stigma.
Despite the stigma faced by hybrids, they are not barred from eventually becoming pure breeds.
Eventually these grains come to rest on another flower's stigma, a tiny pollen receptor.
In the school's library, students seem to feel no social stigma as they select the easiest books.
Without a voice deaf females face a triple stigma: gender, poverty and disability.
It's a bunch of grown-ups making wearable art out of prophylactics in hopes of eradicating the stigma surrounding condom use.
Behind the metal-detector stigma are thoughtful people seeking some atypical thrills.
With horror or movies of the supernatural, there is still a stigma in the critical community.
If they changed the shape of their eyes, there would be a social stigma.
For one thing, status and stigma continue to influence organ transplantation at the ground level.

British Dictionary definitions for stigma

stigma

/ˈstɪɡmə/

noun (pl) stigmas, (for sense 7) stigmata (ˈstɪɡmətə; stɪɡˈmɑːtə)

a distinguishing mark of social disgrace: the stigma of having been in prison

a small scar or mark such as a birthmark

(pathol)

any mark on the skin, such as one characteristic of a specific disease
any sign of a mental deficiency or emotional upset

(botany) the receptive surface of a carpel, where deposited pollen germinates

(zoology)

a pigmented eyespot in some protozoans and other invertebrates
the spiracle of an insect

(archaic) a mark branded on the skin

(pl) (Christianity) marks resembling the wounds of the crucified Christ, believed to appear on the bodies of certain individuals

Word Origin

C16: via Latin from Greek: brand, from stizein to tattoo

Word Origin and History for stigma

1590s, "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from Latin stigma (plural stigmata), from Greek stigma (genitive stigmatos) "mark, puncture," especially one made by a pointed instrument, from root of stizein "to mark, tattoo," from PIE *st(e)ig- (see stick (v.)). Figurative meaning "a mark of disgrace" is from 1610s. Stigmas "marks resembling the wounds on the body of Christ, appearing supernaturally on the bodies of the devout" is from 1630s; earlier stigmate (late 14c.), from Latin stigmata.

stigma in Medicine

stigma stig·ma (stĭg'mə)
n. pl. stig·mas or stig·ma·ta (stĭg-mä'tə, -māt'ə, stĭg'mə-)

Visible evidence of a disease.
A spot or blemish on the skin.
A bleeding spot on the skin considered as a manifestation of conversion disorder.
The orange pigmented eyespot of certain chlorophyll-bearing protozoa, such as Euglena viridis. It serves as a light filter by absorbing certain wavelengths.
A mark of shame or discredit.
Follicular stigma.

stigma in Science

stigma

(stĭg'mə)
The sticky tip of a flower pistil, on which pollen is deposited at the beginning of pollination. See more at flower.