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Origin and history of stigma

stigma(n.)

1590s (earlier stigme, c. 1400), "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from Latin stigma (plural stigmata), from Greek stigma (genitive stigmatos) "mark of a pointed instrument, puncture, tattoo-mark, brand," which is related to stizein "to mark, tattoo" (from PIE root *steig- "to stick; pointed" (see stick (v.)).

The figurative meaning "mark of disgrace or infamy which attaches to a person on account of evil conduct" is in English is from 1610s. Stigmas "marks resembling the wounds on the body of Christ, appearing supernaturally on the bodies of the devout" is from 1630s; earlier stigmate (late 14c.), from Latin stigmata, itself used in English in this sense by 1630s.

also from 1590s

Entries linking to stigma

stick(v.)

Middle English stiken, from Old English stician "to pierce or puncture, to stab with a weapon; transfix; goad," also "to remain embedded, stay fixed, be fastened," from Proto-Germanic *stekanan "pierce, prick, be sharp" (source also of Old Saxon stekan, Old Frisian steka, Dutch stecken, Old High German stehhan, German stechen "to stab, prick").

This is reconstructed to be from PIE *steig- "to stick; pointed" (source also of Latin instigare "to goad," instinguere "to incite, impel;" Greek stizein "to prick, puncture," stigma "mark made by a pointed instrument;" Old Persian tigra- "sharp, pointed;" Avestan tighri- "arrow;" Lithuanian stingu, stigti "to remain in place;" Russian stegati "to quilt").

Etymologists have tried to connect this to *stegh-, reconstructed PIE root of words for sting, but Boutkan (2005) writes that the attempt has "formal problems" and the relationship "remains unclear."

Loosely, "put something where it will remain," with or without the notion of penetration. Hence the figurative sense of "remain permanently in mind" (c. 1300). The meaning "persist (in a course of action), insist upon" is mid-15c. The transitive sense of "to fasten (something) in place" is attested from late 13c. Related: Stuck; sticking.

To stick out "protrude, project" is recorded from 1560s. Slang stick around "remain" is from 1912; stick it as a rude item of advice is recorded by 1922. Sticking point, beyond which one refuses to go, is from 1956. Sticking-place, where any thing put will stay, is from 1570s; modern use generally is an echo of Shakespeare.

stigmatic(adj.)

c. 1600, figurative, "branding with infamy," from Medieval Latin stigmaticus, from stigmat-, stem of Greek stigma (see stigma). The literal sense "of or pertaining to stigmata" is by 1871. Related: Stigmatical (1580s); stigmatal (1859 in scientific use in reference to breathing pores); stigmatically.