Meaning & Definition of word "Shingles"

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    Shingles

    /ˈʃɪŋɡəlz/

    noun:

    • 1. A viral infection that causes a painful rash, often appearing as a stripe of blisters on one side of the body.
      • Example: After contracting shingles, she experienced severe pain and discomfort from the rash.
    • 2. Wooden or asphalt tiles used for roofing or covering walls.
      • Example: They decided to replace the old wooden shingles with new asphalt ones for better durability.
    • 3. An area of health conditions caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.
      • Example: He was diagnosed with shingles after experiencing localized nerve pain and a rash.

    Etymology

    From Middle English 'shingle' meaning shingles from Old English 'sciung' meaning 'to split’.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    shingles vaccine:

    A vaccine to prevent shingles.

    get shingles:

    To contract shingles.

    Related Words

    varicella:

    The virus that causes chickenpox, which can later reactivate as shingles.

    herpes:

    Related family of viruses that includes chickenpox and shingles.

    Slang Meanings of shingles