ringworm

[ ring-wurm ]

/ ˈrɪŋˌwɜrm /

noun Pathology.

any of a number of contagious skin diseases caused by certain parasitic fungi and characterized by the formation of ring-shaped eruptive patches.

Nearby words

ringtail monkey, ringtone, ringtoss, ringwomb, ringwood, ringworm, rink, rink rat, rinkhals, rinky-dink, rinky-tink

Origin of ringworm

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at ring¹, worm

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

Examples from the Web for ringworm

The majority vouchsafed no reply; others, fancying it was pomatum for ringworm of the scalp, refused testily.
Bouvard and Pcuchet, part 2|Gustave Flaubert
There may be several patches of ringworm near each other and they may run together, or there may be only one patch of the disease.
The Home Medical Library, Volume II (of VI)|Various
Every child with ringworm of the scalp should wear a cap of muslin or one lined with paper, so that others may not be infected.
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume IV. (of IV.)|Grant Hague
Is ringworm of these several parts treated with the same remedies?
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon

Does ringworm of the scalp always present typical appearances?
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon

British Dictionary definitions for ringworm

ringworm

/ (ˈrɪŋˌwɜːm) /

noun

any of various fungal infections of the skin (esp the scalp) or nails, often appearing as itching circular patchesAlso called: tinea

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

Medicine definitions for ringworm

ringworm

[ rĭng′wûrm′ ]

n.

tinea

Science definitions for ringworm

ringworm

[ rĭng′wûrm′ ]

Any of a number of contagious fungal infections of the skin, hair, or nails caused chiefly by species of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. Ringworm often causes scaly, itching ring-shaped patches, especially on the skin. Also called tinea