birth-mark

A small birth-mark is visible on the baby's cheek.

Definition

Noun: - A birthmark is a congenital spot or mark on the skin, typically present at birth or appearing shortly after. It is often caused by clusters of pigment cells or blood vessels.

Usage Examples

• (A congenital mark on the skin.)
• (A skin blemish present from birth.)
• (Congenital skin markings.)

Advanced Usage

• "birth-mark" as a metaphor: In literature, "birth-mark" can symbolize an inherent flaw, destiny, or distinguishing characteristic.
  • In Hawthorne's story, the birth-mark on Georgiana's face represents human imperfection. (A symbolic congenital mark.)

Variants and Related Words

• Birthmark (n): The more common spelling (without the hyphen) of the same word.
  • His birthmark on his arm is shaped like a small strawberry. (Congenital skin spot.)
• Mole (n): A small, often raised, dark spot on the skin, sometimes present at birth but usually appearing later.
  • She had a mole on her back that she had since childhood. (A skin growth, similar but not always congenital.)
• Naevus (n): A medical term for a birthmark or mole.
  • The dermatologist diagnosed the spot as a benign naevus. (Medical term for a skin mark.)

Synonyms

• Stain: A discoloration on the skin (less specific).
  • The wine left a stain on the tablecloth, not on her skin. (Not a direct synonym but related to marking.)
• Blemish: A mark or flaw on the skin.
  • The cream helped reduce the blemish on her forehead. (General term for skin imperfection.)
• Spot: A small, round mark on the skin.
  • He had a red spot on his nose after the sunburn. (General term.)

Related Idioms

• "A birth-mark of fate": A poetic phrase meaning a sign of destiny or predetermined trait.
  • His talent was a birth-mark of fate, evident from childhood. (A metaphor for an inherent quality.)