stigmata

/ˈstɪɡmətə/
noun
  1. Marks or wounds that appear on a person's body, resembling the wounds of Jesus Christ, often associated with religious experiences.
    • The nun was said to have received stigmata on her hands and feet.
    • The priest examined the stigmata on the man's palms.
    • Stories of stigmata have been reported for centuries in Christian tradition.
  2. Plural of stigma; marks of shame or disgrace.
    • The stigmata of poverty can be hard to escape.
    • He carried the stigmata of his past mistakes for years.
    • Society often attaches stigmata to certain illnesses.
  3. Small marks or spots on the body, such as birthmarks or scars.
    • The doctor noted several stigmata on the patient's skin.
    • Some stigmata are present from birth.
    • The insect had distinctive stigmata on its wings.