smallpox
pronunciation
How to pronounce smallpox in British English:
UK [ˈsmɔ:lpɒks]
How to pronounce smallpox in American English:
US [ˈsmɔlpɑks]
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- Noun:
- a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever and weakness and skin eruption with pustules that form scabs that slough off leaving scars
Word Origin
- smallpox
- smallpox: see pox
- smallpox (n.)
- acute, highly contagious disease, 1510s, small pokkes, as distinguished from great pox "syphillis;" from small-pock "pustule caused by smallpox" (mid-15c.); see small (adj.) + pox. Compare French petite vérole. Fatal in a quarter to a third of unvaccinated cases.
Example
- 1. The smallpox virus , looking like an oil painting .
- 2. Man has vanquished only one disease , smallpox .
- 3. Only smallpox has been eradicated .
- 4. Almost everyone who got smallpox developed a distinct rash .
- 5. Smallpox was probably the single biggest scourge to hit north america .