erysipelas
Americannoun
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Pathology. an acute, febrile infectious disease, caused by a specific streptococcus, characterized by diffusely spreading deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes.
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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.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
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)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Erysipelas should, however, always be regarded as a serious disease or a serious complication of any existing malady.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
Erysipelas, especially about the face, may close the eyes, encroach upon the scalp, or spread extensively over other regions.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
They are Blood, Choler, Phlegm, and Melancholy, every one whereof produceth its particular Tumour: Thus the Blood produces the Phlegmon, Choler the Erysipelas, Phlegm the Oedema, and Melancholy the Scirrhus.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel
Erysipelas is contagious, especially if the bacteria get into an abrasion in the skin.
From Essays In Pastoral Medicine by ?Malley, Austin
It is also a most valuable application at half the above strength upon parts affected with Erysipelas, when the surface is swollen, and there are vessicles filled with fluid like a blister in burns.
From An Epitome of the Homeopathic Healing Art Containing the New Discoveries and Improvements to the Present Time by Hill, B. L. (Benjamin L.)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
