variola

noun va·ri·o·la \və-ˈrī-ə-lə; ˌver-ē-ˈō-lə\

Definition of VARIOLA

: smallpox; also : its causative poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus)

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, pustule, pox, from Late Latin, pustule, probably from varius various

First Known Use: 1543

Medical Dictionary

noun va·ri·o·la \və-ˈrī-ə-lə\

: smallpox; also : the poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Variola virus) that is the causative agent of smallpox

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