hyperesthesia

noun

hy·​per·​es·​the·​sia ˌhī-pər-es-ˈthē-zh(ē-)ə 

variants or less commonly hyperaesthesia

: unusual or pathological sensitivity of the skin or of a particular sense

hyperesthetic

ˌhī-pər-es-ˈthe-tik 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from hyper- + -esthesia (as in anesthesia)

First Known Use

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hyperesthesia

noun

hy·​per·​es·​the·​sia

variants or chiefly British hyperaesthesia

ˌhī-pə-res-ˈthē-zh(ē-)ə 

: unusual or pathological sensitivity of the skin or of a particular sense to stimulation

tactile hyperesthesia of the leg

hyperesthetic adjective

or chiefly British hyperaesthetic

-ˈthet-ik