stigma
pronunciation
How to pronounce stigma in British English:
UK [ˈstɪɡmə]
How to pronounce stigma in American English:
US [ˈstɪɡmə]
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- Noun:
- the apical end of the style where deposited pollen enters the pistil
- a symbol of disgrace or infamy
- an external tracheal aperture in a terrestrial arthropod
- a skin lesion that is a diagnostic sign of some disease
Word Origin
- stigma
- stigma: [16] Greek stígma denoted a ‘mark made on the skin with a sharp implement’, hence a ‘tattoo’ or ‘brand’. It was derived from the Indo- European base *stig- ‘be sharp, pierce’, which also produced English stick, stitch, etc. By the time it arrived in English, via Latin stigma, it has acquired the connotation of a ‘brand of shame’, and it was also used specifically for the marks made on Christ’s hands and feet by the nails of the cross.=> stick, stitch
- stigma (n.)
- 1590s (earlier stigme, c. 1400), "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from Latin stigma (plural stigmata), from Greek stigma (genitive stigmatos) "mark of a pointed instrument, puncture, tattoo-mark, brand," from root of stizein "to mark, tattoo," from PIE root *steig- "to stick; pointed" (see stick (v.)). Figurative meaning "a mark of disgrace" in English 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.
Example
- 1. But mental illness still carries a stigma .
- 2. And any lingering stigma associated with ok is long since gone .
- 3. This stigma has one practical consequence . It makes it harder for vietnam to defend itself against the charge of dumping .
- 4. A sense of stigma is afoot .
- 5. But whatever it was called , it carried a bitter stigma .