Meaning & use
stigmata
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“stigmata” is a form of “stigma”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralreligion
Marks or wounds on the body that resemble Jesus's wounds on the cross, believed by some to appear on very devout people.
Grammar: Plural; the singular stigma is rarely used in this sense.
Patterns
- the stigmata of someone
- receive the stigmata
Saint Francis is said to have received the stigmata.
The nun's stigmata drew crowds of visitors.
Doctors could not explain the stigmata on his hands.
nounpluralbiologytechnical
In biology, the parts of a plant or insect that receive pollen or serve as breathing openings.
Grammar: Plural of stigma in biology: the flower's stigmata.
Patterns
- the stigmata of a flower
Bees carry pollen to the stigmata of the lilies.
The insect breathes through small stigmata along its body.
Botanists examined the stigmata under a lens.
Word forms
| singular | stigma |
|---|
Common combinations
- receive the stigmata
- Pilgrims believe she received the stigmata.
- bear the stigmata
- The statue bears the stigmata on both hands.
- stigmata of Christ
- The painting shows the stigmata of Christ.
- visible stigmata
- Visible stigmata appeared on the mystic's palms.
- stigmata and miracles
- The shrine is known for stigmata and miracles.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wounds
- Wounds is general and refers to any injury, while stigmata specifically refers to Christ's wounds appearing on a believer.
- marks
- Marks is neutral and can mean any marking, with no religious meaning.
- scars
- Scars are the lasting traces of injuries, whereas stigmata appear miraculously.
Word family
- stigma noun
- a mark of disgrace or a part of a flower
- stigmatic noun
- a person who bears the stigmata
- stigmatize verb
- to mark someone as shameful
- stigmatization noun
- the act of shaming or labeling someone
Commonly confused: stigmata or stigmas? stigmata or enigmata?
stigmata vs stigmas
Stigmas is the ordinary plural for disgrace or shame, while stigmata is used for the religious marks and for biology.
stigmata vs enigmata
Enigmata is a rare Greek-style plural of enigma, with a different meaning.
Practice
Which plural form refers to the religious wounds believed to appear on a devout person's hands?
Choose one answer.
Stigmata is the plural used for the religious marks. Stigmas usually means shame or disgrace.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “stigmata”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.