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Glite Dictionary
xerosis

xerosis

9.9
A condition in which the skin or body tissues are very dry
  • noun
  • /zɪˈroʊsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : xerosis
  • The doctor explained that xerosis can lead to itchy and flaky skin.

Examples

  • Patients may complain of xerostomia, xerosis, or a foreign body sensation in the eye.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Two of three criteria in each of two categories were needed for patients to carry the diagnosis of SS: Category 1) clinical criteria: xerosis, xerostomia, or chronic salivary gland enlargement.

    Academic text (1996)

  • After a long winter, her skin showed signs of xerosis, leaving it dry and uncomfortable.

  • Moisturizers are essential for preventing xerosis, especially in dry climates.

Synonyms

xerotes
vsxerosis
9.9

A very dry condition when something has little or no water

is a specific abnormal dryness affecting skin or body tissues

Antonyms

moisture
107 1.0

A small amount of water on or in something that makes it slightly wet

hydration
14 3.7

The process of something taking in water

wetness
9 1.0

A state of being covered with liquid

How Dry

desiccation
  • Specialized
2 8.6
xerosis
  • Specialized
9.9
dryness
8 1.0
dampness
8 1.0
moisture
107 1.0

Surface Forms

xerosis singular
xeroses plural

Morphology

xerosis = xeric (opaque) = xero + osis

Built from the Greek combining form 'xero-' (dry) plus the medical suffix '-osis' (condition); this medical formation is not transparently inferable by a typical B1 learner.

Etymology

Xerosis comes from the Greek root xero- meaning 'dry' and the ending -osis meaning 'condition'. So xerosis simply means an 'unusually dry' condition of the skin or other body tissues, which is why doctors use it for very dry skin.