keratolysis

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Atlantic Canada, US/ˌkɛɹ.əˈtoʊ.lɪ.sɪs/Atlantic Canada, US/ˌkɛɹ.əˈtoʊ.laɪ.sɪs/

noun

The removal of dead surface skin cells, used to treat various types of wart.

OriginAncient Greek λῠ́σῐς (lŭ́sĭs) ← English kerato- ← Proto-Hellenic *kérats →
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Meanings

nounkeratolysis (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe removal of dead surface skin cells, used to treat various types of wart.
  2. uncountablemedicineThe periodic exfoliation of the epidermis.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*ḱer-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*ḱerh₂-
  3. Proto-Hellenic*kérats
  4. Ancient Greekκέρᾰς (kérăs)
  5. Englishkerato-
  6. Ancient Greekλῠ́σῐς (lŭ́sĭs)
  7. Englishkeratolysis

From kerato- + -lysis.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

keratolysis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keratolysis

MLA

“keratolysis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keratolysis. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keratolysis,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keratolysis.

Source: keratolysis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.