maculation

noun

mac·​u·​la·​tion ˌma-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

archaic : the state of being spotted

2

a

: a blemish in the form of a discrete spot

acne scars and maculations

b

: the arrangement of spots and markings on an animal or plant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maculacion "sexual defilement," borrowed from Medieval Latin maculātiōn-, maculātiō "act of marking, mark, stain, defilement," going back to Latin, "marking, pattern of marks,", from maculāre "to cover with stains, soil, disgrace, mark with colored patches" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at maculate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

maculation

noun

mac·​u·​la·​tion ˌmak-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: a blemish in the form of a discrete spot

acne scars and maculations

2

: the arrangement of spots and markings on an animal or plant