Hansen's disease
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of Hansen's disease
1935–40; named after G. H. Hansen (1841–1912), Norwegian physician and discoverer of leprosy-causing Mycobacterium leprae
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.
“He showed genuine concern for those of us who experienced Hansen’s disease, as well as our families.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is avoidable.
From Salon • Mar. 21, 2024
A cure for Hansen’s disease was found in the mid-20th century.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2023
The only “travel advisory” was guidance from the report’s authors that physicians take into consideration whether their patients had come from central Florida, because Hansen’s disease might be endemic to the region.
From Slate • Aug. 15, 2023
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae.
From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2023
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.
