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Hansen's disease

American  

noun

Pathology.
  1. leprosy.


Hansen's disease British  
/ ˈhænsənz /

noun

  1. pathol another name for leprosy

"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

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.

People who seek treatment at the outpatient clinic, one of 16 federally supported Hansen’s disease clinics in the U.S., are often overwhelmed by dread, uncertainty and shame, Balquin said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is avoidable.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2024

Barr was by then known for her superior laboratory skills, having worked on the bacterium that causes Hansen’s disease, commonly called leprosy, as well as other projects.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

A cure for Hansen’s disease was found in the mid-20th century.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2023

Fortunately, Hansen’s disease can be treated today with readily available antibiotics, which make victims no longer contagious within days.

From Slate • Aug. 15, 2023