smegma

Etymology

From Latin, from Ancient Greek σμῆγμα (smêgma), alternative spelling of σμῆμα (smêma, “soap, detergent”), from σμάω (smáō, “I wipe, clean”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: smĕgʹmə, IPA^(key): /ˈsmɛɡmə/

Noun

smegma (countable and uncountable, plural smegmas)

1. A whitish sebaceous secretion that collects between the glans penis and foreskin or in the vulva.
   • 1979, J.G. Ballard, The Unlimited Dream Company, chapter 30:

     I saw Mrs St Cloud wander happily through the flower-filled streets, her belly smeared with smegma, breasts bruised by the hands of boys.

References

• “smegma” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2018.

Noun

smegma n (singular definite smegmaet, not used in plural form)

1. smegma

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /smɛɡ.ma/

Noun

smegma m (plural smegmas)

1. smegma

References

• Nouveau Petit Larousse illustré. Dictionnaire encyclopédique. Paris, Librairie Larousse, 1952, 146th edition

Anagrams

• gammes

Etymology

From Ancient Greek σμῆγμα (smêgma), alternative spelling of σμῆμα (smêma, “soap, detergent”), from σμάω (smáō, “I wipe, clean”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈsmeːɡ.ma/

Noun

smēgma n (genitive smēgmatis); third declension

1. ointment

References

• smegma in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• smegma in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)