Rubefacient
/ˌruːbɪˈfeɪʃənt/noun
A substance that causes redness of the skin, usually by irritating or stimulating blood flow.
Did you know?Rubefacient comes from Latin rubefacere, and the same root behind “ruby” and “rubor” carries the ancient idea of redness as a visible force, not just a color.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
rubefacere
“to make red”
Latin
Latin
rubefaciens
“making red; reddening”
Late Middle English / Early Modern English
English
rubefacient
“a substance that reddens the skin”
Modern English
English
rubefacient
“a substance that causes redness of the skin”