syphilis

syph·i·lis

noun \ˈsi-f(ə-)ləs\

Definition of SYPHILIS

: a chronic contagious usually venereal and often congenital disease caused by a spirochete (Treponema pallidum) and if left untreated producing chancres, rashes, and systemic lesions in a clinical course with three stages continued over many years — compare primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis

— syph·i·lit·ic \ˌsi-fə-ˈli-tik\ adjective or noun

Origin of SYPHILIS

New Latin, from Syphilus, hero of the poem Syphilis sive Morbus Gallicus (Syphilis or the French disease) (1530) by Girolamo Fracastoro †1553 Italian poet and physician

First Known Use: 1718