asteatosis
|a-ste-a-to-sis|
🇺🇸
/ˌæstiəˈtoʊsɪs/
🇬🇧
/ˌæstɪəˈtəʊsɪs/
lack of sebum → dry skin
Etymology
'asteatosis' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'a-' (without), 'steatos' (fat) and the suffix '-osis' (condition).
'asteatosis' developed in medical usage by combining the negative prefix 'a-' with the older term 'steatosis' (from Greek/medical Latin 'steatos'), resulting in the modern medical English term 'asteatosis'.
Initially related to roots meaning 'fat' or 'a condition of fat', over time it came to denote specifically a condition of lacking sebum that leads to abnormally dry skin.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an abnormal dryness of the skin caused by a lack of sebum; often associated with flaky, cracked skin and sometimes called asteatotic eczema.
The elderly patient was diagnosed with asteatosis after showing widespread dry, flaky patches on his legs.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/05 15:30