pox

[poks]

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease characterized by multiple skin pustules, as smallpox.

2. syphilis.

3. Also called soil rot. Plant Pathology.,  a disease of sweet potatoes, characterized by numerous pitlike lesions on the roots, caused by a fungus, Streptomyces ipomoea.

4. (used as an interjection to express distaste, rejection, aversion, etc.).

   A pox on you and your bright ideas!

pox

/ pɒks /

noun

1. any disease characterized by the formation of pustules on the skin that often leave pockmarks when healed

2. an informal name for syphilis

3. archaic,  (interjection) an expression of intense disgust or aversion for someone

Word History and Origins

Origin of pox¹

1540–50 (earlier as surname); spelling variant of pocks, plural of pock

Word History and Origins

Origin of pox¹

C15: changed from pocks, plural of _pock

Example Sentences

In such a "pox on both houses" scenario, incumbents from both parties suffer the consequences at the ballot box next year and the public becomes even more dissatisfied with the state of the affairs.

Read more on BBC

HHS is now expanding the net to include a form of the chicken pox vaccine and even a version of the hepatitis B vaccine.

Read more on Salon

In rare cases chicken pox can cause a swelling of the brain, called encephalitis; an inflammation of the lungs, called pneumonitis; and stroke, which can result in hospitalisation and - very rarely - death.

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At first, the Alberta mother assumed it was a common side effect of immunisations - or perhaps a case of chicken pox.

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When Osric seeks medical treatment for a degenerative condition, he gets roped into helping Aurienne’s order cure an outbreak of pox that is killing children in droves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gonorrhea 
• herpes 
• syphilis