syphilis
a chronic infectious disease, caused by a spirochete, Treponema pallidum, usually venereal in origin but often congenital, and affecting almost any organ or tissue in the body, especially the genitals, skin, mucous membranes, aorta, brain, liver, bones, and nerves.
Origin of syphilis
1- Compare primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis.
Words Nearby syphilis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use syphilis in a sentence
In a recent conversation, he told me that Peaches was inspired by Eunice Evers the nurse in David Feldshuh’s play “Miss Evers’ Boys’” about the Tuskegee syphilis Study.
‘Ain’t No Mo’’ offers tough conversations about racism, homophobia | Patrick Folliard | September 9, 2022 | Washington BladeStates in the South and West have seen the highest syphilis rates in recent years.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable. | by Caroline Chen, photography by Talia Herman, special to ProPublica | November 1, 2021 | ProPublicaTalk to the pediatricians, obstetricians and families on the front lines of the congenital syphilis surge and it becomes clear why Yang and others are trying so desperately to prevent cases.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable. | by Caroline Chen, photography by Talia Herman, special to ProPublica | November 1, 2021 | ProPublicasyphilis is very common in the hill country in the north-east of the province.
The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir | Sir James McCrone Douiesyphilis has, of course, been extensively introduced among all the tribes.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 1 | Hubert Howe Bancroft
Some depend on a contagious virus, communicable from one person to another, as syphilis.
The Action of Medicines in the System | Frederick William HeadlandThe second order contains those that are used in the several forms of syphilis.
The Action of Medicines in the System | Frederick William HeadlandWe are seldom able by such means to reduce the size of a tumour, unless it depends on a blood-disorder, as syphilis or Scrofula.
The Action of Medicines in the System | Frederick William Headland
British Dictionary definitions for syphilis
/ (ˈsɪfɪlɪs) /
a venereal disease caused by infection with the microorganism Treponema pallidum: characterized by an ulcerating chancre, usually on the genitals and progressing through the lymphatic system to nearly all tissues of the body, producing serious clinical manifestations
Origin of syphilis
1Derived forms of syphilis
- syphilitic (ˌsɪfɪˈlɪtɪk), adjective
- syphilitically, adverb
- syphiloid, adjective
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
Scientific definitions for syphilis
[ sĭf′ə-lĭs ]
A sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum that is characterized in its primary stage by genital sores. If untreated, skin ulcers develop in the next stage, called secondary syphilis. As the disease progresses to potentially fatal tertiary syphilis, neurologic involvement with weakness and skeletal or cardiovascular damage can occur.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for syphilis
[ (sif-uh-lis) ]
A sexually transmitted disease caused by a microorganism. In its initial stages (called primary syphilis), it is manifested by a skin ulcer called a chancre. If the disease is not treated by penicillin or other antibiotics, the infection becomes chronic. In so-called tertiary syphilis, virtually any tissue in the body can be damaged, including the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The disease, if left untreated, can cause blindness, mental illness, and death.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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