stigma
Meaning
a mark of shame or discredit
a small scar or mark on the skin, especially one left by a healed wound
(in christian tradition) marks corresponding to those left on christ's body by the crucifixion
(botany) the part of a pistil that receives the pollen
Structure
Usage
there is still a social stigma attached to mental illness.
the surgery left a small stigma on her knee.
the pollen grain landed perfectly on the flower's stigma.
Etymology
the word 'stigma' entered english in the late 16th century directly from latin, which borrowed it from greek 'stigma', meaning a mark or brand made by a pointed instrument. the greek term derives from the verb 'stizein', meaning 'to tattoo, brand, or prick', a root that can be traced back to the proto-indo-European steig- ('to prick, stick, be sharp'). originally referring to a physical brand or mark on the skin, often used to identify slaves or criminals, the meaning broadened metaphorically to denote a mark of shame or disgrace. this semantic evolution from a literal, physical mark to a figurative social or moral blemish illustrates a common pathway in language development, where a concrete term acquires abstract psychological and sociological dimensions.
Analysis
stigmat (from greek stigma, genitive stigmatos, meaning 'mark, puncture, brand'); a (a common noun-forming suffix in english, often from greek or latin).