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leprosy
[ lep-ruh-see ]
noun
, Pathology.
- a chronic, mildly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the peripheral nervous system, skin, and nasal mucosa and variously characterized by ulcerations, tubercular nodules, and loss of sensation that sometimes leads to traumatic amputation of the anesthetized part.
leprosy
/ ˈlɛprəsɪ /
noun
- pathol a chronic infectious disease occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, characterized by the formation of painful inflamed nodules beneath the skin and disfigurement and wasting of affected parts, caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae Also calledHansen's disease
leprosy
/ lĕp′rə-sē /
- A slowly progressive, chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, that damages nerves, skin, and mucous membranes, and can lead to loss of sensation, paralysis, gangrene, and deformity if untreated.
leprosy
- A chronic and infectious disease , characterized by patches of altered skin and nerve tissue (lesions) that gradually spread to cause muscle weakness, deformities, and paralysis . Some forms of antibiotics are now used to treat this disease, and plastic surgery can help correct the deformities it causes. Also called Hansen's disease.
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Notes
Leprosy has been well known since ancient times, when widespread fear of those afflicted with the disease caused them to be treated as outcasts. Today, the term leper is often used to refer to a person excluded from society.
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Other Words From
- lep·rot·ic [le-, prot, -ik], adjective
- anti·lepro·sy adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of leprosy1
First recorded in 1525–35; perhaps from Medieval Latin leprōsia (recorded only as synonym for leprosarium ), from Greek léprōs(is) “leprosy” + -ia -y 3
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Word History and Origins
Origin of leprosy1
C16: from leprous + -y ³
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