mácula

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin macula. Doublet of mancha, malha, mágoa, and mangra.

Pronunciation

• (Portugal, Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈma.ku.lɐ/
• Hyphenation: má‧cu‧la

Noun

mácula f (plural máculas)

1. stain (discoloured spot or area)

   Synonyms: mancha, nódoa

2. blemish (small flaw which spoils the appearance of something)

   Synonym: defeito

3. (figuratively) stain; blemish (a flaw on one’s character or reputation)

   Synonym: estigma

4. (ophthalmology) macula (oval-shaped pigmented area near the centre of the retina)

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin macula. Doublet of mancha.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmakula/

Noun

mácula f (plural máculas)

1. (anatomy) macula (spot near the center of the retina)

   Synonym: mácula lútea

2. (poetic) stain (discolored spot or area)

   Synonym: mancha

Further reading

• “mácula” in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014.