stigmata

What it means

1. Christianitybodily marks or sores, corresponding in location to the crucifixion wounds of Christ; supposed to occur during states of religious ecstasy or hysteria, and sometimes reported to bleed periodically

In a sentence

I've had notions, negative each one, images of what it is to seem black: to look black, to talk black, to walk black, to dress black; need I list the stigmata any further.

1986, Reginald Shepherd, “On Not Being White”, in Joseph Beam, editor, In The Life: A Black Gay Anthology, page 48

Where it comes from

1. Ancient Greekστίγμα“brand”
2. Englishstigmata

From Ancient Greek στίγμα (stígma, “brand”). Nominative plural: στίγματα (stígmata).