n. A noncontagious inflammation of the skin, characterized chiefly by redness, itching, and the outbreak of lesions that may discharge serous matter and become encrusted and scaly. [New Latin, from Greek ekzema, from ekzein, to break out, boil over : ek-, out; see ECTO- + zein, to boil; see yes- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ec·zema·tous (ĕg-zĕmə-təs, -zēmə-təs, ĭg-) adj. |
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