pox party

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A party where people are brought together to spread an infectious disease between each other. (Where "pox" is treated as infectious disease in general, and not a skin lesion disease in particular.)
  2. Such a party for children, to spread a disease whose consequences are less for children than adults, and which confers lifetime immunity.
  3. Such a party for people in general, to spread disease so that they may get it over with, and acquire temporary or long-term immunity. This may allow them to have disease knowingly under controlled circumstances where they may be isolated during the course of disease, and not infect others unknowingly. That may result in protection for vulnerable members of their social circle that they can isolate from the general public, by being the immunized gatekeeper.

Word forms

pox party pox parties

Synonyms

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