shingles

American  

[shing-guhlz] / ˈʃɪŋ gəlz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, especially by reactivated virus in an older person, characterized by skin eruptions and pain along the course of involved sensory nerves.

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shingles British  

/ ˈʃɪŋɡəlz /

noun

1. Technical names: herpes zoster.   zoster.  (functioning as singular) an acute viral disease affecting the ganglia of certain nerves, characterized by inflammation, pain, and skin eruptions along the course of the affected nerve

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shingles Scientific  

/ shĭng′gəlz /

1. See under herpes

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Etymology

Origin of shingles

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin cingulum, in Latin: “girdle,” from cingere “to gird, cinch” ( cincture ); translation of Greek zṓnē “belt” or zōstḗr “girdle”; zone, zoster

Compare meaning

How does shingles compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• genital herpes vs. shingles

Example Sentences

She pointed to the roof, where red-hot embers had already landed and caught the asphalt shingles on fire.

From Literature

We’ve made three trips to the transfer station and one trip around the mall to the box stores and collected a ton of free stuff: nails, wood, wire, shingles, and more!

From Literature

Derenne noticed some sagging on the roof and worn-out shingles during their first showing at the house the Johnsons ended up buying.

From MarketWatch

Studies have found adults who receive the shingles vaccine have a lower risk of developing dementia later.

From The Wall Street Journal

The researchers reasoned that about the same share of people in both groups would have wanted the shingles shot.

From Science Daily