rubefacient

1 of 2

adjective

ru·​be·​fa·​cient ˌrü-bə-ˈfā-shənt How to pronounce rubefacient (audio)
: 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubefacient was in 1659

Dictionary Entries Near rubefacient

rube

rubefacient

Rube Goldberg

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Cite this Entry

“Rubefacient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubefacient. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

rubefacient

1 of 2 adjective
ru·​be·​fa·​cient ˌrü-bə-ˈfā-shənt How to pronounce rubefacient (audio)
: 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
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