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DictionaryRoot: ek-
Greek

ek-

out or out of

Forms

  • ek-
  • ex- — Used before a vowel in Greek.

Origin

An inherited Greek prefix related to Latin ex-.

Note

The two forms reflect the following sound, not different basic meanings.

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A young adult South Asian woman gently scratches a visibly irritated, dry patch in the crease of her opposite elbow, conveying the itch and inflammation of eczema without graphic detail.
noun

eczema

ig-ZEE-muh/ɪɡˈziːmə/

A skin condition causing inflamed, itchy patches.

Etymology
ecGreekout or out of
+zemaGreekto boil

“Out” and “boil” give the image of something boiling over or breaking out. Ancient physicians are said to have used the name for fiery skin pustules, connecting that image to an inflamed skin eruption.

Full entry

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