syphilitic
Americanadjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of syphilitic
First recorded in 1780–90; from New Latin syphiliticus, from syphili(s) syphilis + -ticus -tic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At 40, Baudelaire was a shadow of his former self, crushed by unrepayable debts, suffering the aftereffects of a seemingly minor stroke, and facing the onset of syphilitic debility.
From Washington Post ● May 11, 2022
He had borrowed bits and pieces of a not-too-well-disguised Schoenberg as a model for the syphilitic central character in “Doctor Faustus.”
From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2021
Watching his future self alongside Lisa, imaginary Quilloughby laments, “Is this what I turned into? I’m greedy, I’m hateful, and my face looks like a syphilitic moon!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2021
He identified possible syphilitic cases based on the length of stay among 177 cases of "venereal distemper", and compared estimates concerning the urban population with those for rural residents living within a 10-mile radius.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2017
He treated a syphilitic child and pointed out to Mr. Singer the scaling eruption on the palms of the hand, the dull, opaque surface of the eye, the sloping upper front incisors.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
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