n.
Pronunciation: ' stig-m ə
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural stig · ma · ta \ stig- ' mä-t ə , ' stig-m ə -t ə \ or stig · mas
Etymology: Latin stigmat-, stigma mark, brand, from Greek, from stizein to tattoo ― more at STICK
Date: circa 1593
1 a archaic : a scar left by a hot iron : BRAND b : a mark of shame or discredit : STAIN <bore the stigma of cowardice> c : an identifying mark or characteristic specifically : a specific diagnostic sign of a disease
2 a stigmata plural : bodily marks or pains resembling the wounds of the crucified Jesus and sometimes accompanying religious ecstasy b : PETECHIA
3 a : a small spot, scar, or opening on a plant or animal b : the usually apical part of the pistil of a flower which receives the pollen grains and on which they germinate ― see FLOWER illustration
– stig · mal \ ' stig-m ə l \ adjective