leprosy
leprosy Lexical Profile
leprosy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A chronic, mildly contagious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, primarily affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract, and eyes, and leading to skin lesions, nerve damage, and progressive disfigurement if left untreated.
"Thanks to multidrug therapy developed in the late twentieth century, leprosy is now completely curable."
A morally corrupting, repulsive, or spiritually contaminating influence or condition that causes social ostracism.
"The novelist portrayed greed as a moral leprosy eating away at the town's conscience."
Word Nuance & Usage
In modern medical and public health contexts, the term 'Hansen's disease' is often preferred over 'leprosy' to avoid the historical stigma associated with the condition.
• Rhymes for leprosy
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French leprosie and Medieval Latin leprosia, ultimately from Ancient Greek lepra ('leprosy'), derived from lepros ('scaly, rough').