Ichthyosis
/ˌɪk.θiˈoʊ.sɪs/noun
A group of genetic skin disorders marked by dry, thickened, scaly skin.
Did you know?Ichthyosis comes from Greek ichthys, “fish,” because the skin can look fish-scaled; the same Greek root also appears in the secret Christian symbol ichthys, the “fish” sign used for Jesus.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰχθύς (ichthys)
“fish”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰχθυώδης (ichthyōdēs)
“fish-like, scaly like a fish”
Late Latin
Latin
ichthyosis
“a scaly skin condition”
16th–17th Century
English
ichthyosis
“a medical term for a scaly skin disease”
Modern English
English
ichthyosis
“a group of disorders causing dry, thickened, scaly skin”
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