xeroderma pigmentosum

noun

xe·​ro·​der·​ma pig·​men·​to·​sum ˌzir-ə-ˈdər-mə-ˌpig-mən-ˈtō-səm 

-ˌmen-

: a genetic disorder inherited as a recessive autosomal trait that is caused by a defect in mechanisms that repair DNA mutations (such as those caused by ultraviolet light) and is characterized by the development of pigment abnormalities and multiple skin cancers in areas exposed to the sun

Examples of xeroderma pigmentosum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the winners was 12-year-old winner Hazel, who lives with a rare genetic disorder called xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) that limits the ability of her body to repair damage caused by UV light. —Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE.com, 26 Nov. 2019

Riley was born with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare skin condition characterized by extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet rays from sunlight, according to the US National Library of Medicine. —Maya Eliahou and Justin Lear, CNN, 9 June 2018

In the movie, Bella plays a girl named Katie who has lived most of her life indoors due to a condition called xeroderma pigmentosum that her extremely sensitive to sunlight. —Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, 22 Mar. 2018

Based on the Japanese film of the same name, 17-year-old Katie Price has a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight caused by the rare genetic condition, xeroderma pigmentosum. —Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, 26 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, pigmented dryness of the skin

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

xeroderma pigmentosum

noun

xeroderma pig·​men·​to·​sum -ˌpig-mən-ˈtō-səm, -ˌmen- 

: a genetic condition inherited chiefly as a recessive autosomal trait that is caused by a defect in mechanisms that repair DNA mutations (as those caused by ultraviolet light) and is characterized by the development of pigment abnormalities and multiple skin cancers in body areas exposed to the sun

—abbreviation XP