prepuce
|pre-puce|
/ˈpriːpjuːs/
skin fold before the genital
Etymology
'prepuce' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praepūtium', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and the root related to 'pudēre' referred to the pudendum (the parts that cause shame).
'prepuce' changed from the Late Latin word 'praepūtium' into Old French forms (e.g. 'prepuce') and entered Middle English before becoming the modern English 'prepuce'.
Initially it meant 'the skin before the pudendum (genital area)', and over time it evolved into its current anatomical meaning of 'the fold of skin covering the glans of the penis or the clitoris'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the fold of skin (foreskin) that covers the glans of the penis.
The doctor gently retracted the infant's prepuce to check for any abnormality.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
the fold of skin (clitoral hood) that covers the clitoris.
In anatomical descriptions, the clitoral prepuce is often referred to as the clitoral hood.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/16 05:51