naevus
Definition
Noun (plural: naevi or naevuses): A naevus is a permanent, circumscribed, and usually pigmented spot or growth on the skin, present from birth or appearing later in life. It is commonly referred to as a mole, birthmark, or skin blemish.
Usage Examples
- (A pigmented skin growth that was not cancerous.)
- (A common type of birthmark.)
Advanced Usage
"Naevus flammeus": a specific type of naevus, also known as a port-wine stain, caused by abnormal blood vessels under the skin.
- The baby was born with a naevus flammeus on her cheek, which later faded with treatment. (A reddish birthmark due to vascular malformation.)
"Naevus pigmentosus": a pigmented naevus, typically a mole containing melanin.
- The doctor monitored the naevus pigmentosus for any changes in size or colour. (A mole with dark pigmentation.)
Variants and Related Words
Naevoid (adj): resembling or related to a naevus.
- The naevoid patch on his skin was irregularly shaped. (Having the appearance of a naevus.)
Naevus cell: a specialized cell found in pigmented naevi.
- The biopsy revealed clusters of naevus cells in the tissue sample. (Cells that form moles.)
Synonyms
- Mole: a common term for a small, dark, raised or flat spot on the skin.
- Birthmark: a mark on the skin present from birth, which may include naevi.
- Nevus (US spelling): the American English variant of "naevus."
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms directly involving "naevus," as it is a medical term. However, in informal usage, the phrase "a beauty mark" can refer to a small, aesthetically pleasing naevus on the face.
- She considered the small naevus near her lip to be a beauty mark. (A mole considered attractive.)