the term acne comes from the greek word meaning
acne - an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones. inflammatory disease - a disease characterized by inflammation. disease of the skin, skin disease, skin disorder - a disease affecting the skin. acne rosacea, rosacea - a skin disease of adults (more often women) in which blood vessels of the face enlarge resulting in a flushed appearance.