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Webster 1913 Edition


Measles

Mea′sles

,
Noun.
[From 1st
Measle
.]
Leprosy; also, a leper.
[Obs.]

Mea′sles

,
Noun.
;
pl. in form, but used as singular in senses 1, 2, & 3.
[D.
mazelen
; akin to G.
masern
, pl., and E.
mazer
, and orig. meaning, little spots. See
Mazer
.]
Measles
commences with the ordinary symptoms of fever.
Am. Cyc.
2.
(Veter. Med.)
A disease of cattle and swine in which the flesh is filled with the embryos of different varieties of the tapeworm.
3.
A disease of trees.
[Obs.]
4.
pl.
(Zool.)
The larvae of any tapeworm (
Taenia
) in the cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called also
bladder worms
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Measles

MEASLES

,
Noun.
mee'zles; with a plural termination.
1.
A contagious disease of the human body,usually characterized by an eruption of small red points or spots, from which it has its name.
2.
A disease of swine.
3.
A disease of trees.

Definition 2024


measles

measles

English

Noun

measles (plural measles)

  1. Rubeola, an acute highly contagious disease, often of childhood, caused by Measles virus, of genus Morbillivirus, featuring a spreading red skin rash, fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes
  2. Any of several other similar diseases, such as German measles.
Usage notes
  • Plural in form; usually used with a singular verb.
Synonyms
Derived terms
  • blue measles
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

See measle

Noun

measles

  1. (obsolete) plural of measle
  2. (obsolete) Leprosy.