ˈstɪɡmə n. (pl. stigmas or
esp. in
sense 4 stigmata) 1 a mark or
sign of
disgrace or
discredit. 2 (foll. by of) a distinguishing mark or
characteristic. 3
the part of a
pistil that receives the
pollen in pollination. 4 (in pl.) Eccl. (in
Christian belief) marks corresponding to
those left on Christ's
body by the
Crucifixion,
said to
have been impressed on the bodies of St Francis of Assisi
and others. 5 a mark or
spot on the
skin or on a butterfly-wing. 6
Med. a
visible sign or characteristic of a
disease. 7 an insect's
spiracle. [L f. Gk stigma -atos a mark
made by a
pointed instrument, a
brand, a
dot: rel. to STICK(1)]