bubonic plague

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a serious, sometimes fatal, infection with the bacterial toxin Yersinia pestis, transmitted by fleas from infected rodents and characterized by high fever, weakness, and the formation of buboes, especially in the groin and armpits.

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bubonic plague British  

noun

1. an acute infectious febrile disease characterized by chills, prostration, delirium, and formation of buboes: caused by the bite of a rat flea infected with the bacterium Yersinia pestis See also plague

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bubonic plague Cultural  

1. A highly contagious disease, usually fatal, affecting the lymphatic system. The bubonic plague is caused by bacteria transmitted to humans by rat-borne fleas.

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Discover More

From 1347 to 1351, a disease known as the Black Death, similar to the bubonic plague, entered Europe from Asia and killed a large percentage of the population, sometimes wiping out entire towns. It caused widespread social changes in Europe.

Etymology

Origin of bubonic plague

First recorded in 1885–90

Compare meaning

How does bubonic-plague compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• bubonic plague vs. Black Death
• Black Plague vs. bubonic plague
• pneumonic plague vs. bubonic plague
• pneumonic vs. bubonic plague
• bubonic plague vs. coronavirus

Example Sentences

The Black Death pandemic was primarily caused by bubonic plague.

From BBC

In July, an Arizona resident died of the pneumonic form of the plague, which can develop when bacteria spread to the lungs of a patient with untreated bubonic plague.

From Los Angeles Times

There are different forms of plague, such as bubonic plague, which is the most common and is caused by the bite of an infected flea.

From BBC

They carry parasites and diseases such as the bubonic plague, rabies and lyme disease that can be transmitted to people while feeding them.

From Los Angeles Times

And if you go, is the employee at checkout yawning because of fatigue or the bubonic plague?

From Los Angeles Times