estigma

Estigma is a term used in different disciplines with distinct meanings. In botany, estigma refers to the receptive surface at the tip of a pistil that captures pollen. In sociology and psychology, estigma denotes the social disapproval or discrimination directed at individuals or groups perceived as different. The two uses share the sense of marking or boundary, but operate in separate domains.

Botanically, the estigma is part of the pistil—comprising stigma, style, and ovary—that marks the beginning of fertilization. The surface is typically sticky or feathery to intercept pollen grains. Many stigmas secrete conditioning substances that help pollen hydrate and germinate. Pollen tubes grow through the style to reach the ovule. Stigma morphology ranges from dry, papillate surfaces to wet, mucilaginous ones; some species have multiple stigmas, and stigmatic traits are often linked to pollination strategies and self-incompatibility systems.

In social contexts, stigma involves labeling and devaluation of people perceived as different, based on attributes such as health, disability, race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Stigma can be enacted through discrimination or prejudice and may be internalized by the person stigmatized, reducing self-esteem and limiting access to education, employment, or healthcare. Anti-stigma efforts emphasize education, open dialogue, contact with affected groups, and policy measures to reduce discrimination and promote inclusion.

Etymology traces the word to Latin stigma 'mark' or Greek stigmos 'a mark'. In everyday usage, estigma is often treated as synonymous with stigma in various languages.