Main Entry: pe·te·chia

Pronunciation: \pə-ˈtē-kē-ə\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pe·te·chi·ae \-kē-ˌī\

Etymology: New Latin, from Italian petecchia, ultimately from Latin impetigo

Date: circa 1784

: a minute reddish or purplish spot containing blood that appears in skin or mucous membrane as a result of localized hemorrhage

— pe·te·chi·al \-kē-əl\ adjective