erysipelas

[ er-uh-sip-uh-luh s, eer-uh- ]

/ ˌɛr əˈsɪp ə ləs, ˌɪər ə- /

noun

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

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.

Nearby words

Origin of erysipelas

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)

Related formser·y·si·pel·a·tous

[er-uh-si-pel-uh-tuh s, eer-] /ˌɛr ə sɪˈpɛl ə təs, ˌɪər-/, adjectivepseu·do·er·y·si·pel·a·tous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for erysipelas

Erysipelas is generally symptomatic of a debilitated or bad constitution.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
The day after the conference just narrated, Mr. Morton, who was subject to erysipelas, had taken a little cooling medicine.
Night and Morning, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
It is indeed this swelling which gives to erysipelas of the head and face its peculiar physiognomy.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various
It is not without significance that there may be an element of erysipelas in such cases.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton

Erysipelas is an acute, contagious disease, characterized by a peculiar form of inflammation of the skin.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

British Dictionary definitions for erysipelas

erysipelas

/ (ˌɛrɪˈsɪpɪləs) /

noun

an acute streptococcal infectious disease of the skin, characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, and purplish raised lesions, esp on the faceAlso called: Saint Anthony's fire

Derived Formserysipelatous (ˌɛrɪsɪˈpɛlətəs), adjective

Word Origin for erysipelas

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for erysipelas

erysipelas

late 14c., skin disease also known as St. Anthony's Fire, from Greek erysipelas, perhaps from erythros "red" (see red (1)) + pella "skin" (see film (n.)).

Medicine definitions for erysipelas

erysipelas

[ ĕr′ĭ-sĭp′ə-ləs, îr′- ]

n.

An acute disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by a hemolytic bacterium and marked by localized inflammation and fever.Saint Anthony's fire

Related formser′y•si•pel′a•tous (-sĭ-pĕl′ə-təs) adj.