pə̇ˈtēkēə, -tek- noun
( plural petechi·ae -kēˌē)
Etymology: New Latin, from Italian petecchia, perhaps from (assumed) Vulgar Latin peticula, short for (assumed) Vulgar Latin impeticula, from Latin impetic-, impetix impetigo (alteration of impetigo ) + -ula — more at impetigo
: one of the minute hemorrhages or purpuric spots that appear on the skin or mucous and serous membranes or within an organ especially in some infectious diseases (as typhus or typhoid) — compare ecchymosis