erysipelas

[ er-uh-sip-uh-luhs, eer-uh- ]

noun

1. Pathology. an acute, febrile infectious disease, caused by a specific streptococcus, characterized by diffusely spreading deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes.
2. 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.

erysipelas

/ ˌɛrɪˈsɪpɪləs; ˌɛrɪsɪˈpɛlətəs /

noun

1. an acute streptococcal infectious disease of the skin, characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, and purplish raised lesions, esp on the face Also calledSaint Anthony's fire

Derived Forms

• erysipelatous, adjective

Other Words From

• er·y·si·pel·a·tous [er-, uh, -si-, pel, -, uh, -t, uh, s, eer-], adjective
• pseu·do·er·y·si·pel·a·tous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of erysipelas¹

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of erysipelas¹

C16: from Latin, from Greek erusipelas, from Greek erusi- red + -pelas skin

Example Sentences

He was threatened with erysipelas, and there was a rather critical inflammation of the left eye.

From Project Gutenberg

The small muscles of both his arms were ruptured, and a subsequent attack of erysipelas put his life in jeopardy.

From Project Gutenberg

Simple Erysipelas only affects the surface, with redness and smarting.

From Project Gutenberg

Should erysipelas develop on a very young baby it is very important that he should be removed at once from the mother.

From Project Gutenberg

Erysipelas is a much-dreaded disease which is the result of infection with the blood-poisoning germ—streptococcus.

From Project Gutenberg