king's evil

American  

noun

1. scrofula: so called because it was supposed to be curable by the touch of the reigning sovereign.

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king's evil British  

noun

1. pathol a former name for scrofula

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Etymology

Origin of king's evil

1350–1400; Middle English kynges evel

Example Sentences

The heart of a toad, suspended by a blue ribbon round the neck, will cure the king's evil.

From The Mysteries of All Nations Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together With Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales by Grant, James, archaeologist

This boy was sorely afflicted with the king's evil, but was to all appearance cured by Mr. Greatrakes' laying his hand on the parts affected.

From Curiosities of Human Nature by Anonymous

By the insertion in it of the statement that the king’s evil had been cured by the Pretender, Carte forfeited the favour of most of his patrons.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various

He was the first of our princes that attempted to cure the king's evil by touching.

From The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 10 Historical Writings by Swift, Jonathan

A still more ominous sign was that he ventured to touch for the king's evil.

From Micah Clarke His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734 by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir