paronychia

noun

par·​o·​nych·​ia ˌper-ə-ˈni-kē-ə How to pronounce paronychia (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
medical
: inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation
… chronic paronychia may be related to factors causing a localized inflammatory reaction. These factors may be frequent contact with chemicals, chronic dishwashing, finger sucking as well as the effects of certain medications.J. Keith Festa
Paronychia, a painful infection, can creep under the skin around your nails when the cuticle breaks down, so slather cream around fingertips, too.Holly E. Thomas and Michelle Thomas

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin parōnychia "whitlow," going back to Latin parōnychium (usually in plural parōnychia) "whitlow," borrowed from Greek parōnychía, from par- para- entry 1 + onych-, ónyx "nail" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at nail entry 1

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paronychia was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near paronychia

Cite this Entry

“Paronychia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paronychia. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

paronychia

noun
par·​o·​nych·​ia ˌpar-ə-ˈnik-ē-ə How to pronounce paronychia (audio)
: inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the nail of a finger or toe usually accompanied by infection and pus formation compare felon, whitlow sense 1
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