First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
leprosy
noun lep·ro·sy \ˈle-prə-sē\
medical : a serious disease that causes painful rough areas on the skin and that badly damages nerves and flesh
Full Definition of LEPROSY
1
: a chronic infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) affecting especially the skin and peripheral nerves and characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities —called also Hansen's disease
2
: a morally or spiritually harmful influence
— lep·rot·ic \le-ˈprä-tik\ adjective
See leprosy defined for English-language learners
See leprosy defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of LEPROSY
Middle English lepruse, from leprous
Medical Dictionary
leprosy
noun lep·ro·sy \ˈlep-rə-sē\
plural lep·ro·sies
Medical Definition of LEPROSY
: a chronic disease caused by infection with an acid-fast bacillus of the genus Mycobacterium (M. leprae) and characterized by the formation of nodules on the surface of the body and especially on the face or by the appearance of tuberculoid macules on the skin that enlarge and spread and are accompanied by loss of sensation followed sooner or later in both types if not treated by involvement of nerves with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities and mutilations—called also hansenosis, Hansen's disease, lepra; see lepromatous leprosy, tuberculoid leprosy
Learn More About LEPROSY
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up leprosy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).