xeroderma pigmentosum

noun

A rare genetic disorder in which DNA damaged by ultraviolet light is not repaired and the skin becomes sensitive to such light, in which a skin cancer can subsequently develop.

OriginAncient Greek ξηρός ← Latin pigmentōsus →
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Meanings

nounxeroderma pigmentosum (uncountable)
  1. uncountablemedicineA rare genetic disorder in which DNA damaged by ultraviolet light is not repaired and the skin becomes sensitive to such light, in which a skin cancer can subsequently develop.

Origin

  1. Latinpigmentōsus“pigmented, stained”
  2. Ancient Greekξηρός“dry”
  3. Englishxeroderma pigmentosum

From Ancient Greek ξηρός (xērós, “dry”) δέρμα (dérma, “skin”) and Latin pigmentōsus (“pigmented, stained”).

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Cite this entry
APA

xeroderma pigmentosum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xeroderma%20pigmentosum

MLA

“xeroderma pigmentosum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xeroderma%20pigmentosum. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “xeroderma pigmentosum,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/xeroderma%20pigmentosum.

Source: xeroderma pigmentosum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.