ˌparəˈnikēə noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek parōnychia whitlow, from para- para- (I) + onych-, onyx nail of the finger or toe + -ia — more at nail
1. -s : inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation — compare felon
2. capitalized
[New Latin, from Greek parōnychia, a plant reputed to be a cure for whitlows, from parōnychia whitlow]
: a genus of small herbs (family Caryophyllaceae) having scarious stipules and small flowers subtended by scarious bracts — see whitlowwort