whitlow
English
Etymology
Alteration of whitflaw, the first element coming from either Dutch vijt or Low German fit (“abscess”). See flaw.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈwɪt.loʊ/, /ˈʍɪt.loʊ/
Noun
whitlow (plural whitlows)
- An infection under the cuticle of a fingernail or toenail.
- 1874, Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd:
- 'Twas a bad leg allowed me to read the Pilgrim's Progress, and Mark Clark learnt All-Fours in a whitlow.
Synonyms
- nimpingang (UK dialect, archaic)
- paronychia
- wicklow (common misspelling in some regions)
Coordinate terms
Translations
an infection
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Further reading
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “whitlow”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.