wart

wart A local growth on the outer layer of the skin that is caused by a papillomavirus. Papillomavirus is transmitted by contact, either with a wart on someone else or a wart on oneself (autoinnoculation). Warts that occur on the hands or feet are called common warts. A wart on the sole of the foot is a plantar wart. Genital (venereal) warts are located on the genitals and are transmitted by sexual contact. Also known as verruca and verruga. See also genital warts; human papillomavirus.