Definition of SYPHILIS

syphilis

Meanings

Noun

  • a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)
  • A disease spread via sexual activity, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Origin / Etymology

From New Latin syphilis, originally the title of a poem by Girolamo Fracastoro concerning “Syphilus”, a shepherd boy who insulted the Greek god Apollo and was punished by that god with a horrible disease.

Synonyms

Cupid's disease, French disease, French gout, French pox, great-pox, ladies' fever, leprosy, lues, lues venerea, pox, syph

Scrabble Score: 16

syphilis is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
syphilis is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
syphilis is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

syphilis is a valid Words With Friends word