Xerotic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by abnormal dryness of the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes
2. Relating to or marked by excessive dryness in bodily tissues, organs, or surfaces due to insufficient moisture or dehydration
3. Affected by pathological lack of moisture in the skin, eyes, or other tissues, causing a dry and potentially irritated condition

Etymology: The root is ancient Greek "xēros," meaning "dry." The medical sense comes from "xerosis," a Greek-derived term for abnormal dryness of the body's tissues. "Xerotic" adds the adjective ending "-otic," the same ending found in "neurotic," to form a word for conditions of that kind. The same root shows up in other technical terms. "Xerography" names a dry photocopying process that uses powdered toner instead of liquid ink, and "xerophyte" is a plant adapted to survive with little water. Both are modern coinages built from the Greek element, so the ancient root is the shared link rather than any older English use.

Synonyms: dry, parched, desiccated

Antonyms: moist, wet, hydrated