stigma

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

1. A mark or token of infamy, disgrace, or reproach: "Party affiliation has never been more casual . . . The stigmata of decay are everywhere" (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.). See synonyms at stain.
2. A small mark; a scar or birthmark.
3. Medicine. A mark or characteristic indicative of a history of a disease or abnormality.
4. Psychology. A mark or spot on the skin that bleeds as a symptom of hysteria.
5. stigmata Bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain corresponding in location to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus, usually occurring during states of religious ecstasy or hysteria.
6. Biology. A small mark, spot, or pore, such as the respiratory spiracle of an insect or an eyespot in certain algae.
7. Botany. The receptive apex of the pistil of a flower, on which pollen is deposited at pollination.
8. Archaic. A mark burned into the skin of a criminal or slave; a brand.

[Middle English stigme, brand, from Latin stigma, stigmat-, tattoo indicating slave or criminal status, from Greek, tattoo mark, from stizein, stig-, to prick.]

stigmal stig'mal adj.

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The plural in its special meanings (e.g. 'the marks on Christ's hands and feet on the Cross') is stigmata, with the stress either on the first or on the second syllable. In the figurative sense 'a mark of disgrace or discredit', the plural is stigmas.

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[Etymology: Gk: ‘dot’] Symbol σ - the Greek letter called sigma. See bicron.

A negative image of property, after its environmental problem was remediated.


Example: Despite eliminating the problem in its cooling towers and ventilation system, and changing its name, the Belleview Stratford hotel in Philadelphia retains a stigma because of its being the origin of Legionnaire’s disease. The stigma persists despite several name and ownership changes.

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noun

1. A mark of discredit or disgrace: black eye, blemish, blot, onus, spot, stain, taint, tarnish. Archaic attaint. Idioms: a blot on one's escutcheon. See marks, respect/contempt/standing.
2. A mark on the skin indicative of a disease, as typhus: petechia. See marks.

n

Definition: shame
Antonyms: credit, honor, pride

1. A mark or spot that acts as a sign of a particular disease.

2. Any mark or lesion in the skin.

The receptive apex of the pistil of a flower, on which pollen is deposited.

IN BRIEF: A mark of disgrace.

Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the danger of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of "crackpot" than the stigma of conformity. — Thomas Watson (1874-1956)

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Pl. stigmas, stigmata [Gr.] any physical mark or peculiarity that aids in identification or diagnosis of a condition.

• follicular s. — a 2 mm wide band around the meridian of all follicles greater than 4 mm diameter in the left ovary of the domestic fowl.

For a list of words related to stigma, see:

• Botany and Plant Parts - stigma: free upper tip of a flower style on which pollen falls and develops
• Plants and Plant Parts - stigma: free upper tip of flower style on which pollen falls and develops
• Disapproval, Disrespect, and Denial - stigma: mark of shame or discredit; stain or reproach

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See words rhyming with "stigma."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Stigma.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - stigma, stempel, skamplet

Nederlands (Dutch)
stigma, stempel, vlek

Français (French)
n. - (Bot) stigmate, stigmate (de)

Deutsch (German)
n. - Stigma, Brandmal, Narbe

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - στίγμα, όνειδος, (ζωολ., φυτολ.) στίγμα, (παθολ.) αιμορραγική κηλίδα

Italiano (Italian)
stigma, marchio, segno, bollo

Português (Portuguese)
n. - estigma (m)

Русский (Russian)
клеймо позора, стигма, пятно или язва, шрам, рубец (на теле)

Español (Spanish)
n. - estigma

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - stigma, tecken, kännetecken, brännmärke

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
耻辱, 污名, 眼点, 柱头, 气门

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 恥辱, 汙名, 眼點, 柱頭, 氣門

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 오명, 치욕, (병 등의) 증상

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 汚名, 柱頭, 聖痕

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) وسم, وصمه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אות-קלון, תחושת-בושה, כתם, רבב, צלקת (בפרח), סטיגמה‬

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