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    Smallpox

    /ˈsmɔːlˌpɑːks/

    Meaning & Definition

    noun
    A highly contagious and often deadly viral disease characterized by fever and a distinctive progressive skin rash.
    Smallpox was responsible for millions of deaths before vaccination eradicated the disease.
    The disease caused by the variola virus, resulting in pus-filled blisters and scarring.
    Researchers studied smallpox to understand its effects on human health.
    A historical disease that has been declared eradicated by the World Health Organization.
    The global vaccination campaign successfully led to the eradication of smallpox in 1980.

    Etymology

    The term 'smallpox' is derived from 'small' (to differentiate it from 'great pox', which refers to syphilis) and 'pox', which is from the Latin 'pocks', meaning 'blisters'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    Smallpox vaccination:
    The injection given to prevent the disease.
    Eradication of smallpox:
    The worldwide elimination of smallpox in the late 20th century.

    Related Words

    variola
    The virus that causes smallpox.
    vaccination
    The act of inoculating someone with a vaccine to provide immunity.

    Slang Meanings

    Smallpox party
    A smallpox party was historically organized to infect children with the disease intentionally.