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cutis anserina

Very low
UK/ˌkjuː.tɪs ˌæn.səˈriː.nə/US/ˈkjuː.t̬ɪs ˌæn.səˈriː.nə/

Technical/Medical

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Definition

Meaning

The medical term for goosebumps or goose pimples—the temporary raised bumps on skin caused by cold, fear, or strong emotion.

Literally means 'goose skin' in Latin. Used scientifically to describe piloerection, the involuntary contraction of tiny muscles at hair follicles.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Exclusively medical/biological terminology. Not used in everyday conversation. Refers specifically to the physiological phenomenon, not the metaphorical feeling.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No regional usage differences; identical in both dialects as a technical Latin term.

Connotations

Purely clinical, with no cultural or emotional connotations.

Frequency

Equally rare in both UK and US outside medical contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
experiencing cutis anserinasuffering from cutis anserina
medium
a case of cutis anserinathe phenomenon of cutis anserina
weak
temporary cutis anserinaemotional cutis anserina

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The patient presented with cutis anserina.Cutis anserina is a common reflex.

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

piloerectionhorripilation

Neutral

goosebumpsgoose pimples

Weak

goose fleshchill bumps

Vocabulary

Antonyms

smooth skinunaffected skin

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[None - term is purely technical]”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in medical, biological, or physiological research papers.

Everyday

Virtually never used; 'goosebumps' is universal.

Technical

Standard term in dermatology, neurology, and physiology textbooks.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • [No verb form exists]

American English

  • [No verb form exists]

adverb

British English

  • [No adverb form exists]

American English

  • [No adverb form exists]

adjective

British English

  • [No adjective form exists]

American English

  • [No adjective form exists]

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • [Too technical for A2]
B1
  • [Too technical for B1]
B2
  • The doctor noted the patient had cutis anserina upon exposure to cold.
  • Cutis anserina is a primitive reflex shared with many mammals.
C1
  • The physiological mechanism behind cutis anserina involves the sympathetic nervous system and arrector pili muscles.
  • In the diagnostic report, persistent cutis anserina was listed among the autonomic symptoms.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a goose (anser) with its feathers standing up, creating bumpy skin (cutis).

Conceptual Metaphor

Skin resembling a plucked goose's skin.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not translate literally as 'кожа гуся' in non-medical contexts.
  • The common Russian equivalent is 'гусиная кожа', but this is informal.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it in casual speech.
  • Mispronouncing 'anserina' as 'answer-reena'.
  • Confusing it with other dermatological conditions.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The medical term for goosebumps, derived from Latin, is .
Multiple Choice

In which context would 'cutis anserina' most appropriately be used?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is exclusively a medical/technical term. The everyday term is 'goosebumps' or 'goose pimples'.

It translates from Latin as 'goose skin'.

It is caused by the contraction of arrector pili muscles, typically triggered by cold, fear, strong emotions, or certain neurological stimuli.

Yes, the equivalent phenomenon (piloerection) is common in mammals, often making their fur stand on end.