 |
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
erysipelas \er'y*sip"e*las\ ([e^]r'[i^]*s[i^]p"[-e]*las), noun [L., fr. Gr. 'erysi'pelas; 'eryqro's red + pe'lla hide, skin. See {Red}, and {Pell}, noun] (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused red edematous inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface. It is often accompanied by severe constitutional symptoms. It is caused by a group A hemolytic streptococcus ({Streptococcus pyogenes}), is contagious, and formerly often occured epidemically. [1913 Webster +PJC]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
erysipelas
noun: an acute streptococcal infection characterized by deep-red inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes
 |
Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |