acne
UK[ˈækni]US[ˈækni]
n
a skin condition, common in young people, that causes many pimples, especially on the face and neck.
Etymology
the word 'acne' entered english in the early 19th century via modern latin, which borrowed it from a misreading of greek 'akmas'. the greek term 'akmas' was the accusative plural of 'akme', meaning 'point' or 'highest point'. this semantic shift from 'point' to a skin eruption is attributed to a mistaken transcription in the works of the ancient physician aëtius of amida, where 'akmas' was confused for 'aknas'. the logic of the word's evolution thus connects the ancient concept of a sharp point or spot to the visible, pointed lesions characteristic of the skin condition.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from greek via latin. it is not productively formed from separable english morphemes.
Examples
many teenagers struggle with acne during puberty.
she uses a special cleanser to help control her acne.
the dermatologist prescribed a new treatment for his severe acne.