English Explanatory Dictionary

syphilis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A disease spread via sexual activity, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Pronunciation

/ˈsɪfɪlɪs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-syphilis.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Wodencafe-syphilis.wav /ˈsɪflɪs/

Word forms

syphilis syph

Etymology

From New Latin syphilis, originally the title of a poem, circa 1530, by Girolamo Fracastoro concerning “Syphilus”, a shepherd boy who insulted the Greek god Apollo and was punished by that god with a horrible disease. Syphilis in the Old World began circa 1495; its spread is believed to be part of the Columbian Exchange. More in Wikipedia at History of syphilis.

Synonyms

syphilis cardboard box Cupid's disease French disease French gout French pox great-pox ladies' fever leprosy lues lues venerea pox syph

Related words

luetic

Derived words

antisyphilis myelosyphilis neurosyphilis oculosyphilis otosyphilis parasyphilis sympathy is between shit and syphilis syphilitic syphilize syphiloid
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