scabies

American  

[skay-beez, -bee-eez] / ˈskeɪ biz, -biˌiz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. a contagious skin disease occurring especially in sheep and cattle and also in humans, caused by the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows under the skin.

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scabies British  

/ ˈskeɪbiːz, -bɪˌiːz /

noun

1. a contagious skin infection caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, characterized by intense itching, inflammation, and the formation of vesicles and pustules

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Other Word Forms

• scabietic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of scabies

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin scabiēs “roughness, itch,” from scabere “to scratch, scrape”; see also shave

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scabies

Hywel Dda health board said it was taking extra measures to control the spread of scabies and was focused on keeping hospitals and healthcare settings as clean as possible.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

Paul died on 8 June - scabies is noted as a secondary cause of death on his death certificate.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

People with this type of scabies can have up to two million mites and eggs on them.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

Five more - migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections and badly blocked noses - are now also being added to that list.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

We can never see the legs of the scabies mite, but we can tell from the fact that it moves that it must have legs or something similar.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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