erysipelas
Americannoun
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Pathology. an acute, febrile infectious disease, caused by a specific streptococcus, characterized by diffusely spreading deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes.
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Also called swine erysipelas. Veterinary Pathology. a disease of swine, caused by the organism Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, characterized by urticaria, vegetative endocarditis, arthritis, and sometimes septicemia.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of erysipelas
1350–1400; Middle English erisipila < Latin erysipelas < Greek, equivalent to erysi- (probably akin to erythrós red) + -pelas probably skin (akin to pélma sole of the foot; compare Latin pellis skin)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Spanish Governor, who had been "lately blooded 3 times for an Erysipelas," had not done as well as he could have wished in the preparation of an army of defence.
From On the Spanish Main Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien. by Masefield, John
"Erysipelas is supposed to have settled in his legs."
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 104, June, 1866 by Various
Erysipelas of this ambulant character may also, after invading the entire surface of the body, be relighted at the point where it first appeared.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
What are the Tumours or Impostumes that partake of the Nature of an Erysipelas?
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel
Erysipelas attacks people of all ages, some persons being very susceptible and suffering frequent recurrences.
From The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI) by Winslow, Kenelm
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
