How Do You Spell POCKMARKED?

Pronunciation: [pˈɒkmɑːkt] (IPA)

The word "pockmarked" is spelled with a combination of letters that represent different vowel and consonant sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be broken down into /ˈpɒk.mɑːkt/, with the first syllable pronounced with a short "o" sound and the "ck" representing a hard "k" sound. The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced with a broad, "ah" sound, and the final "ed" is silent. The word means marked or scarred with smallpox or acne, and is often used to describe a rough or uneven surface.

POCKMARKED Meaning and Definition

1. Pockmarked is an adjective that describes something marked with pockmarks. Pockmarks are small, pitted, and often deep scars or indentations on a surface. They typically appear as round, shallow craters or depressions and can be caused by various factors.

   In dermatology, pockmarks specifically refer to the permanent scars left behind by severe cases of acne, chickenpox, or other skin conditions characterized by pustules or vesicles. These scars are generally the result of the body's healing process, which can cause the skin to lose its smooth and even texture. Pockmarks can vary in size, with some being barely noticeable while others are more prominent and disfiguring.

   Beyond dermatological contexts, the term pockmarked can also be used to describe physical objects or surfaces that display similar characteristics. For example, a pockmarked road or pathway refers to a road with numerous potholes or cracks. Similarly, a pockmarked wall or surface can indicate the presence of small dents or holes caused by impacts, erosion, or decay.

   Moreover, the term can be metaphorically used to describe individuals or objects that appear damaged, marred, or blemished due to their history or experiences. For instance, a pockmarked reputation might refer to a person or organization whose reputation has been significantly tarnished or marked by various negative incidents or controversies.

2. Bearing on the skin of the face many scars of healed smallpox pustules.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for POCKMARKED

• potmarked
• oockmarked
• lockmarked
• -ockmarked
• 0ockmarked
• pickmarked
• pkckmarked
• plckmarked
• ppckmarked
• pockmarke

Etymology of POCKMARKED

The word "pockmarked" has its origins in the Middle English term "pokemerke", which was formed by combining "poke" (a pustule or a swollen lump) and "merke" (a mark). "Poke" can be traced back to the Old English word "poc", meaning a bag or a pocket. The term "pockmarked" originally referred to the marks or scars left by the pox, particularly smallpox, a disease that causes the development of pustules on the skin. Over time, the term became more generalized and started to refer to any kind of pitted or scarred surface, whether due to disease or other causes.

Similar spelling word for POCKMARKED

• pockmark.