smallpox

noun small·pox \ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks\

: a serious disease that causes fever and a rash and often death

Full Definition of SMALLPOX

: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus), is characterized by a skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination —called also variola

See smallpox defined for English-language learners

See smallpox defined for kids

First Known Use of SMALLPOX

1518

Rhymes with SMALLPOX

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SMALLPOX Defined for Kids

smallpox

noun small·pox \ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks\

Definition of SMALLPOX for Kids

: a sometimes deadly disease in which fever and skin rash occur and which is believed to have been wiped out worldwide by vaccination

Medical Dictionary

smallpox

noun small·pox \ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks\

Medical Definition of SMALLPOX

: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Variola virus), is characterized by skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination—called also variola; see variola major, variola minor