roseo-, ros-

A relapsing, chronic cutaneous disorder that causes redness of the face: "Most patients with prerosaceas have been afflicted from their youth with the sudden reddening of their faces which normally passed away quickly."

"Flares are usually caused by such things as weather (ultraviolet radiations/sun, cold, strong winds, excessive humidity), emotional influences (strong emotions, stresses, and anxieties), heat (saunas, hot baths, overheating, warm environments), beverages (such as, alcohol; especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka, champagne), hot drinks (hot cider, hot chocolate, tea, coffee); foods (liver, dairy products, hot or spicy foods, vegetables, fruits), tobacco, certain medications (injected radioopaque iodides, topical corticosteroids), or abnormal physical exertion; such as, exercise, sports, or jobs requiring lifting and/or loading."

A chronic skin disease which causes redness over parts of the face, such as the cheeks and nose, but primarily the forehead, the chin, and the lower half of the nose: With rosacea, the tiny blood vessels in the areas of the face enlarge (dilate) and become more visible through the skin, characterized by red or rosy colorations like tiny red lines or the appearance of acnelike pimples.

Increased conditions of acne rosacea can be prevented by avoiding certain foods, alcohol, caffeine, and exposure to sunlight, extremes of temperature, wind, and certain cosmetics as prescribed by a dermatologist.

In the earlier stages of rosacea, the patient may notice gradual reddening of the skin, often mistaking these changes for acne, sunburn, or dermatitis.

1. Like a rose; as, rose-colored, shaped like a rose: "Karl and Lina admired the rosaceous beauty of their neighbor's flower garden."
2. Relating to, or belonging to the Rosaceae, a family of flowering plants typically having white, yellow, pink, or red five-petalled flowers: "The rosaceous groups include roses, strawberries, blackberries, and many fruit trees; such as, apples, cherries, and plums."

A person who is interested in the cultivation of roses; especially, an amateur rose-grower.

1. A garden of roses or similar rose-colored flowers.
2. A set of small beads used primarily by Roman Catholics for counting a series of prayers.

A reference to a color that consists of light pink to darker redness: "Some rose colors include cherry red, scarlet, magenta, vermillion, ruby, crimson, etc."

A plant with fragrant red, pink, white, or yellow flowers: "James sent a dozen red roses to his wife for her birthday."

A pink, light table wine made from red grapes with the skins having been removed before fermentation has been completed: "The guests at Rose's birthday party were served a special rosé wine with their meal."

1. Referring to the pinkish color of a rose: Shareen was watching the beautiful birds with roseate feathers.
2. Overly optimistic or viewed favorably; cheerful and bright: Helena's son had a roseate feeling after he completed his final exams at the university.
3. Etymology: from Latin roseus, "rosey, cheerful." © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

A medical term for a rash that exists with degrees of fevers: "A roseola usually consists of a mild illness which resembles measles or a skin rash, usually in infancy."

"Initial symptoms of roseola include a high fever that normally lasts for three to five days, a runny nose, irritability, eyelid swelling, and tiredness."

"When the fever of the roseola goes away, a rash appears which is primarily on the face and body."

A Brother of the Order of the Rose Cross: "Jason's brother is a member of the Rosicrucian Order."

"Most members of modern groups designate themselves as Rosicrucians, including those of the Ancient Mystic Order Rosae Crucis."

A quality of that indicates a healthy, reddish complexion: "The rosiness of the cheeks is considered to be a sign of good health."

Descriptive of something that is similar to flowers or colors that have various degrees of redness: "The perfume that Kate received from her friend had a pleasant rosy smell and even a rosier color."

Pertaining to doing something privately and not revealing it to others: "The police made sub rosa investigations to find evidence to convict the criminal."

A reference to something that happens or is done secretly or confidentially: "The spy organization operated sub rosa until it was revealed that friendly governments were also under surveillance."