Definition: Syphilis
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.
Noun
syphilis (uncountable)
- (pathology) A disease spread via sexual activity, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
Derived terms
- neurosyphilis
- syphilitic
- syphilize
- syphiloid
Credits
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