rubefacient

1 of 2

adjective

ru·​be·​fa·​cient ˌrü-bə-ˈfā-shənt 

: causing redness (as of the skin)

rubefacient

2 of 2

noun

: a substance for external application that produces redness of the skin

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin rubefacient-, rubefaciens, present participle of rubefacere to make red, from rubeus reddish + facere to make — more at ruby, do

First Known Use

Adjective

1659, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rubefacient

1 of 2 adjective

ru·​be·​fa·​cient ˌrü-bə-ˈfā-shənt 

: causing redness of the skin

a rubefacient cream

rubefacient

2 of 2 noun

: a substance (as capsaicin) for external application that produces redness of the skin