urticaria

noun

ur·​ti·​car·​ia ˌər-tə-ˈker-ē-ə How to pronounce urticaria (audio)
: hives
urticarial adjective

Did you know?

Hives can be caused by a number of things. It can be a reaction to the piece of food you ate, the new medication you took, or irritants in the air you breathe, among other causes. Urticaria was named in the 18th century for its resemblance to the rash caused by nettle, a plant of the genus Urtica. That genus name reflects the Latin word for "nettle" and is also related to the Latin verb urere, meaning "to burn." (It's easy to see the connection here if you know that many species of nettle have stinging hairs that irritate the skin.)

Examples of urticaria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Potential Aid for Chronic Hives Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is the medical term for chronic hives, which can last for more than six weeks. Johna Burdeos, Health, 30 Oct. 2024 While urticaria can affect anyone, there are certain patterns doctors see in patients with the condition. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2024 Around 20 percent of people will suffer urticaria at some point in their lives, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 Simmons said the vice president has a history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, or hives. Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for urticaria 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin urtica nettle

First Known Use

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urticaria was circa 1771

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Cite this Entry

“Urticaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urticaria. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

urticaria

noun
ur·​ti·​car·​ia ˌərt-ə-ˈkar-ē-ə, -ˈker- How to pronounce urticaria (audio)
: hives
urticarial adjective

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