psoriasis

Definition

A noncontagious disease whose main symptom is gray or silvery flaky patches on the skin which are red and inflamed underneath when scratched.

Etymology

From Late Latin psōriasis (“mange, scurvy, psoriasis”), from Koine Greek ψωρίασις (psōríasis), from Ancient Greek ψώρα (psṓra, “itch”) + -σις (-sis, “-sis: forming nouns of action & medical disorders”). Cognate with psora.

Example Sentences

• "He suffers from a skin complaint, psoriasis, which has rendered his hands scaly, hard and red."