chickenpox

American  

[chik-uhn-poks] / ˈtʃɪk ənˌpɒks /

Or chicken pox

noun

1. a disease, commonly of children, caused by the varicella zoster virus and characterized by mild headache and fever, malaise, and eruption of blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.

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chickenpox British  

/ ˈtʃɪkɪnˌpɒks /

noun

1. a highly communicable viral disease most commonly affecting children, characterized by slight fever and the eruption of a rash

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chickenpox Scientific  

/ chĭk′ən-pŏks′ /

1. A highly contagious infectious disease, usually of children, caused by the varicella-zoster virus of the genus Varicellavirus. The infection is characterized by fever, and itching skin blisters that start on the trunk of the body and spread to the extremities.

2. Also called varicella

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Etymology

Origin of chickenpox

First recorded in 1720–30

Explanation

Chickenpox is a very contagious illness that causes fevers and a spotty rash. It used to be common for almost every child to get chickenpox at some point. Today a vaccine protects kids from getting chickenpox — and though it's thought of as a mild childhood disease, it can be serious or even deadly. Once you've had chickenpox, or the series of shots, you're immune from getting it again. The origin of chickenpox is uncertain: it may come from the resemblance of the rash to tiny chickpeas, or chicken pecks. Alternately, the chicken may refer to "children," or be a contrast to the more serious smallpox.

Example Sentences

Chickenpox can be more severe if you catch it for the first time as a teen or an adult rather than as a young child.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2023

Chickenpox has been spreading in your community, and now you’re really sick,’” Zink recalled.

From Washington Post • Dec. 26, 2022

Chickenpox is the first infection with the virus before it enters latency in the host.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as describing the Delta variant to be as contagious as Chickenpox.

From Reuters • Jul. 30, 2021

Chickenpox in an adult is less common than in children.

From The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI) by Winslow, Kenelm