Pityriasis

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pityriasis \Pit`y*ri"a*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, lit.,
     bran.]
     1. (Med.) A superficial affection of the skin, characterized
        by irregular patches of thin scales which are shed in
        branlike particles.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. (Veter.) A disease of domestic animals characterized by
        dry epithelial scales, and due to digestive disturbances
        and alteration of the function of the sebaceous glands.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     {Pityriasis versicolor} [NL.] (Med.), a parasitic disease of
        the skin, characterized by the development of reddish or
        brownish patches.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pityriasis
       n : any of several skin disorders characterized by shedding dry
           flakes of skin