Definition

A medical condition where small blood vessels break, causing purple spots or patches on the skin and mucous membranes.

Example

The doctor diagnosed her with purpura after noticing the unusual purple spots on her arms.

Conversation

I saw a documentary about a condition called purpura yesterday.

Oh really? What is it exactly?

It's when blood leaks into the skin, causing purple spots.

That sounds pretty serious; I hadn't heard of it before.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Purpura is derived from the Latin word "purpura" (meaning purple), which refers to the color associated with royalty and nobility. The term originally described a dye made from the murex shellfish, which was highly valued in ancient times. The word "purpura" signifies the color purple, often linked to wealth and status.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for purple, 'purpura', which helps you remember that this word refers to the color purple, often associated with royalty.

Visually Confused Words