scrofula

[skrof-yuh-luh]

noun

Pathology.

1. primary tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, especially those of the neck.

scrofula

/ ˈskrɒfjʊlə /

noun

1. Also called (formerly): the king's evil. pathol (no longer in technical use) tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrofula¹

1350–1400; Middle English (plural) < Late Latin scrōfulae ( Latin scrōf ( a ) sow + -ulae (plural) -ule ), from the belief that breeding sows were susceptible

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrofula¹

C14: from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin scrōfulae swollen glands in the neck, literally: little sows (sows were thought to be particularly prone to the disease), from Latin scrōfa sow

Example Sentences

The boy had swelling in his neck, which at first glance indicated scrofula, or TB in his lymph nodes.

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His smile is the origin of what is called sunshine, and he personally cured my scrofula.

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In part because she described a long history of what sounded like tuberculosis, they initially suspected scrofula.

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One form of TB, scrofula, shows up in the glands of the neck.

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So prized were moles’ hands that farmers once kept them in silk bags as talismans for good luck and to ward off toothache, epilepsy and scrofula.

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