smallpox
|small-pox|
🇺🇸
/ˈsmɔːlˌpɑks/
🇬🇧
/ˈsmɔːlˌpɒks/
disease with small pustules
Etymology
'smallpox' originates from English, specifically a compound of the words 'small' and 'pox', where 'small' meant 'of little size' and 'pox' meant 'a pustule or sore (from Old English 'pocc').
'smallpox' developed in Middle English as the compound 'small-pockes' (or similar forms) combining 'small' and 'pock(e)', with 'pock' tracing back to Old English 'pocc' meaning 'pustule'.
Initially it referred to a disease characterized by 'small' pustules (in contrast to the 'great pox' meaning syphilis); over time it retained this core meaning and became the standard name for the disease now called smallpox.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an acute, contagious disease caused by the variola virus, characterized by fever and a distinctive rash of pustules; historically a major cause of death and scarring; declared globally eradicated in 1980.
Smallpox was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980 after a global vaccination campaign.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the pustules or scars resulting from the disease (used in reference to marks left by past infection).
He still bore the smallpox scars on his face from childhood illness.
Last updated: 2025/11/27 14:42